Staphylococcus spp Associated With Infections in Poultry

Staphylococcus Species

Affected Poultry Species and Production Type

Systemic or Local and Associated Diseases

S agnetis

Broiler chicken, broiler breeder, laying hen

Systemic: septicemia, endocarditis

Local: bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis, focal ulcerative dermatitis syndrome

S aureus

All poultry species and production types

Systemic: septicemia, turkey osteomyelitis complex (green liver-osteomyelitis syndrome)

Local: arthritis, gangrenous dermatitis, synovitis, chondronecrosis, osteomyelitis, bumblefoot, omphalitis

S auricularis

Broiler chicken

Systemic infection

S capitis

Broiler chicken, laying hen, broiler breeder

Systemic infection

S chromogenes

Broiler chicken, turkey, laying hen, broiler breeder, waterfowl

Systemic infection

S cohnii urealyticus

Broiler chicken, turkey, laying hen, broiler breeder, waterfowl

Systemic infection

Local: arthritis, scabby hip syndrome

S epidermidis

Broiler chicken, laying hen, waterfowl

Systemic infection

Local: chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis, scabby hip syndrome

S gallinarum

Broiler chicken

Systemic infection

S hominis

Broiler chicken

Systemic infection

Local: chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis

S hyicus

Broiler chicken, laying hen, broiler breeder, turkey

Systemic infection

Local: fibrinopurulent blepharitis and conjunctivitis, stifle joint osteomyelitis, folliculitis and epidermitis, pododermatitis, dermatitis (associated with fowlpox), beak necrosis

S intermedius

Broiler chicken

Systemic infection

Local: scabby hip syndrome

S lentus

Broiler chicken, turkey, broiler breeder, laying hen, waterfowl

Systemic infection

Local: scabby hip syndrome

S saprophyticus

Broiler chicken, turkey, laying hen

Systemic infection

Local: chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis

S sciuri

Broiler chicken, turkey, waterfowl

Systemic infection

Local: scabby hip syndrome

S simulans

Broiler chicken, turkey, waterfowl

Systemic: systemic infection, endocarditis

Local: scabby hip syndrome

S warneri

Broiler chicken

Local: scabby hip syndrome

S xylosus

Broiler chicken, turkey, broiler breeder, waterfowl

Systemic infection

Local: chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis

Table adapted from Szafraniec GM, Szeleszczuk P, Dolka B. A review of current knowledge on Staphylococcus agnetis in poultry. Animals (Basel). 2020;10(8):1421. doi:10.3390/ani10081421