Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) in modern broilers: impacts, mechanisms, and perspectives.

Abstract

Abstract Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is one of the leading causes of lameness and welfare concerns in the modern broiler. The avian bone physiology and remodeling process is complex and dependent on numerous bone and vascular cell types and pathways working harmoniously. The rapid growth rate of the leg bones in the modern broiler coupled with high body weight gain and high metabolic demands have predisposed the broiler to damage within the bone, opportunistic bacterial infection, and subsequent BCO. The maturation and ossification of chondrocytes at the growth plate epiphyseal cartilage junction is critical for leg soundness and defense against mechanical stressors and is ongoing throughout a broiler's life span. The mitochondria play a critical role in stem cell maturation and differentiation in bone and their dysfunction has been implicated in numerous diseases, including type 2 diabetic osteomyelitis and osteoporosis. An understanding of the dynamics between bone physiology and bacterial infection along with mitochondrial dynamics and function in disease states could give more insights into the etiology of BCO and subsequent development of effective strategies to preventing/treating BCO pathology. This review will address the impacts of BCO as well as the physiology involved while highlighting the need for mechanistic understanding of BCO at the cellular level which could address the potential role of mitochondrial dysfunction and BCO pathogenicity.