Salpingitis

Salpingitis is the inflammation of the oviduct which occurs commonly in adult laying hens. It is most frequently caused by bacterial infection ascending from the vent and cloaca, but can also be associated with respiratory and systemic infections.

Escherichia coli is the most common pathogen responsible for causing the infection, others include Mycoplasma, Pasteurella, Streptococcus and Salmonella. Newcastle disease, Avian influenza, and Infectious bronchitis have also been associated with salpingitis in chickens.

The estrogenic activity involved in the process of egg laying facilitates the migration of infectious pathogens from the cloaca to the oviduct. Once the bacteria gains access to the oviduct, it can penetrate the oviduct wall or travel through the open end of the infundibulum and enter the abdominal cavity, resulting in peritonitis.

Clinical Signs of Salpingitis in Chickens

Clinical signs of salpingitis in hens are often vague and can be difficult to detect during the early stages of the infection. Early stage signs typically include mild depression and decreased egg production. Hens may produce abnormally shaped eggs.

Clinical signs observed during the advanced stages of salpingitis are usually associated abdominal distension resulting from oviduct impaction or rupture, coelomitis or septicemia.