Tackling Enterococcus Cecorum  - Related Skeletal Disorders in Broilers

Enterococcus cecorum has emerged as one of the most significant bacterial pathogens associated with skeletal disorders in modern broiler production, particularly bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) and spinal osteomyelitis (SO). 
Once regarded as a harmless intestinal commensal, pathogenic strains are now increasingly linked to lameness, welfare impairment, mortality, and substantial economic losses worldwide. As antibiotic stewardship programs continue to reduce preventive antimicrobial use, the poultry industry is facing a renewed challenge: safeguarding gut health, immune resilience, and skeletal integrity without relying on routine antibiotic interventions.

This article highlights:

• BCO and SO are multifactorial diseases in which E. cecorum plays a pivotal pathogenic role;
• Reduced antibiotic use has exposed underlying vulnerabilities related to gut barrier function, microbial balance, and bone development;
• Sustainable control requires an integrated strategy combining nutrition, health management, and husbandry practices to limit bacterial translocation and support skeletal robustness.

Starting here? 

Discover our first article: “Managing risks in reduced antibiotic systems” to understand the key challenges behind this transition. Read the article here.

Discover our second article: "From Risk to Resilience - A Practical Program for Reduced-Antibiotic Systems ". Read the article here.

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