Feed-borne<i>Bacillus cereus</i>exacerbates respiratory distress in chickens infected with<i>Chlamydia psittaci</i>by inducing haemorrhagic pneumonia

Abstract

<i>Chlamydia psittaci</i> is an important zoonotic pathogen and its oral route of infection plays an important role in the transmission and persistence. <i>Bacillus cereus (B. cereus)</i> strain, a common contaminant of animal feed and feedstuffs, can cause severe diarrhoea and malnutrition in poultry. In our previous study, a <i>B. cereus</i> strain (Dawu C), isolated from the haemorrhagic lungs of infected chickens, was shown to harbour two virulence genes (<i>hblC and cytk</i>) and was able to induce haemorrhagic lesions in the lungs, as well as gizzard erosion and ulceration (GEU) syndrome in broilers. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that <i>B. cereus</i>-induced GEU would aggravate <i>C. psittaci</i> infection. Our results showed that SPF chickens exposed to <i>B. cereus</i> developed a severe GEU syndrome. More interestingly, prior infection with <i>B. cereus</i> facilitated <i>C. psittaci</i> infection, and aggravated GEU and respiratory distress, which were accompanied by high chlamydial loads in the lungs and severe lesions in respiratory organs. Moreover, levels of local inflammatory cytokines were elevated and T cell responses were impaired in the infected birds. In conclusion, GEU caused by <i>B. cereus</i> may facilitate chlamydial transmission from the ventriculus to the lungs.<b>RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS</b> <i>Bacillus cereus</i> contributes to the gizzard erosion and ulceration syndrome in chickens.Exposure to <i>Bacillus cereus</i> exacerbates pneumonia in birds following chlamydial infection.<i>Bacillus cereus</i> facilitates persistent chlamydial infection and exacerbates immune responses.