HEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF AN ESCHERICHIA-COLI SEPTICEMIA IN BROWN LEGHORN CHICKENS

A series of experiments is described in which E. coli septicaemia was produced in 6-week-old Brown Leghorn male chickens by air sac inoculation of a pathogenic strain of E. coli. Groups of birds were slaughtered for examination on days 1 to 5 post infection and haematological and biochemical examinations performed on blood samples collected just prior to slaughter. Changes in erythrocyte values and serum chemistry were observed and the clinical pathology is discussed. Consideration is given to the role of incidental haemodilution in the haematological changes observed. © 1979, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.