Biofilm formation and avian immune response following experimental acute and chronic avian cholera due to Pasteurella multocida.

•Comparison of P. multocida strains to cause acute or chronic infection in chickens.•Chronic infections were associated with prominent biofilm formation in tissues.•Acute infections were associated with little biofilm formation and high mortality.•The antibody response to any P. multocida strain infection was weak overall.•The cytokine/chemokine response was associated with a Th1 and Th17 response.