Western
Meeting of Poultry
Clinicians and Pathologists
|
Clinicians and Pathologists
|
|
A Case of Inclusion Body Hepatitis in Broiler Chicks W.R. Cox Canadian Poultry Consultants Ltd.
History Several live and dead, 9-day-old broiler chicks were submitted for necropsy with a complaint of suddenly increased mortality. The farm in question had 2 separate barns of broiler chickens, each being fed a different dietary program. Only birds in barn 2 were affected, and this barn was on an experimental diet. Mortality was 1.75% over days 1 to 7. On day 8, there was 1.3% mortality and on day 9, 2% mortality. Concern was expressed over the possibility of a feed problem. Necropsy Necropsy findings were similar in all birds. The live birds were very weak and lethargic. On necropsy, petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages were found in the muscles of the legs. There was a serous or sero-sanguinous fluid in the abdominal cavities. The livers were somewhat enlarged, pale, almost white in some areas, and variegated in appearance. Petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages were present in the spleen. The kidneys were pale and, perhaps, somewhat enlarged. Histopathology Histopathological examinations were carried out by Dr. Vikki Bowes of the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food. Spleen – Multifocal subcapsular acute caseation necrosis and hemorrhage was seen in the spleen. Liver – There was marked multifocal coalescing periportal infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells and mild fibrosis in the liver. Occasional random foci of caseation necrosis was also seen. Occasional secondary lymphoid nodules were present. Abundant basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were seen in hepatocytes. Diagnosis A diagnosis of Inclusion Body Hepatitis was made. There was no evidence of a toxic or dietary cause to this problem.
Follow-up After about 14 days of age, mortality returned to normal and this flock went to market with no further serious problems. Blood samples taken at 40 days of age revealed mean ELISA titres to Infectious Bursal Disease of between 139 and 492 in both barns 1 and 2. Only 1 of 20 samples was positive for adenovirus. This problem did not recur in subsequent flocks. The etiological diagnosis remains unknown, as serological findings did not support flocks. The etiological diagnosis remains unknown, as serological findings did not support the classical definition of Adenovirus-induced inclusion body hepatitis. |
|
To send us your comments or questions regarding this web site, click here. |