Simultaneous occurrence of hyphaema and <i>Streptococcus dysgalactiae</i> -bacteraemia in free-ranging Swiss laying hens

cluster most closely with two strains isolated from pigs and one strain from a rhinoceros, but no data were available for other avian strains. The source of the infection was not identified. It is thus unknown whether the herein described laying hens were infected by a strain originating from their skin flora or by strains arising from other animals such as free-ranging birds. Direct or indirect contact between the hens and pigs or cows on the pullet farm could not be excluded.