Gallibacterium anatis (GBA) is an oppertunistic bacterium (trachea, cloaca and rectum) present in poultry and has been reported in commercial poultry in and outside Europe. GBA is associated with peritonitis and reduced egg-production often in the presence of other pathogens. Experimentally GBA has shown to be primary pathogenic. High diversity as well as clonal spread of GBA genotypes is reported. This study reports the presence of GBA in Dutch commercial poultry, the genetic diversity and the association with peritonitis in layers.
