An Updated Review of Enterococcus cecorum Infections in Poultry.

Since the early 2000s, skeletal effects, specifically enterococcal spondylitis, related to pathogenic Enterococcus cecorum (EC), have been observed in older broiler chicken flocks. This skeletal involvement has typically been associated with persistent EC infections in the free thoracic vertebrae leading to paralysis. However, the emergence of virulent EC in young broiler chicken flocks causing clinical septicemia requires further investigation. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on EC-related research and pending industry needs.