Recurring Airsacculitis in Late-Stage Production Leading to High Slaughterhouse Condemnation in a Commercial Turkey Farm

Between May 2021 and June 2024, a series of slaughterhouse condemnations was documented in the male population of a commercial turkey farm in Lower Austria, Austria. The primary reasons for condemnation were severe airsacculitis, often accompanied by ascites and pleural effusion. Across various production cycles, the flocks either remained asymptomatic with lesions only being detected during carcass inspection at the slaughterhouse or showed a slight increase in mortality accompanied by clinical signs such as dyspnea, open-mouth breathing, and head shaking in some birds during the final weeks of the fattening period, at 16-22 weeks of age. Gross examination prior to slaughter typically revealed thoracic air sacs filled with large, firm, yellowish-white plaques, occupying a significant proportion. During the last two occurrences, microbiological and pathological investigations were conducted to identify the causative pathogens of this recurrent condition. Various infectious agents, including <i>Mycoplasma synoviae</i>, <i>Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale</i>, and <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>, were identified. The findings revealed the multifactorial nature of the condition, raising concerns about the impact on the health and welfare of turkeys, as well as the economic implications of such condemnations for the turkey industry.