Histopathology in diagnosis of broiler chicken and layer diseases – review of cases 1999-2010

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of histopathological lesions in the different organs in relation to the commercial-type and the age of birds (i.e. broiler chickens and layers). During the period 1999-2010 a total of 189 cases was submitted to the Division of Animal Pathomorphology, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics at WULS. Most cases were found in broiler chickens (66.7%). The majority of the histopathological lesions were detected in the liver and lymphoid organs. In of 29% cases of hepatic injury pathognomonic lesions associated with inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) were found. The mean age of birds was 23 days. Among IBH cases proventriculitis (58%) was more often found than gizzard lesions (25.8%). Interestingly, we noted some intranuclear inclusions in the epithelial cells within the proventriculus. A low percentage of histopathological evidence of infectious bursal disease (IBD) was reported in chickens. The gastrointestinal tract was the second most frequent predilection site for histopathological lesions. Histopathological findings within the heart and lungs were less common and were more often seen in the upper respiratory tract. Cases of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) were registered in broiler chickens (3.2%, mean age 37 days) and in layers (4.8%; mean age 196 days). Lesions associated with Marek's disease, avian leukosis and fowl pox were recognized only in layers, respectively in 3.2% (mean age 176 days), 1.6% (mean age 205 days) and 1.1% (mean age 196 days) of all cases. Avian encephalomyelitis (AE) was noted only in 0.5% of all cases.

Survey of Animal Neoplastic Cases Diagnosed in Nigerian Veterinary Teaching Hospitals, 2000–2017

“…The chicken layers were the most affected by avian neoplasms and this finding is similar to the reports of Cheng et al (2010) [33], Okonkwo (2015) [34] and Sani et al (2017) [26]. Dolka et al (2012) [35] and Othman and Aklilu (2019) [36] recorded more neoplastic disease cases in broilers. In this study, the neoplastic growths were observed in most of the visceral organs in cases of Marek's disease and lymphoid leukosis.…”

Prevalence of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) in Poland from 2010-2014

“…The age of IBH positive chickens ranged from 1 to 7 weeks, but the highest prevalence was observed in the 4 th week of life (Table 2). This is consistent with published data from other authors (Singh et al 1996, Nakamura et al 2011, Dolka et al 2012, Niczyporuk et al 2013). In the samples from broiler chickens that were in their 2 nd and 3 rd week of life IBH seemed to be a primary infection.…”

“…The high frequency of IBH infection makes it the most prevalent disease in commercial broiler chicken flocks in western Poland. This is also consistent with a high rate (29%) of microscopic liver lesions typical of IBH reported by Dolka et al (2012) in samples obtained from birds between 1999 and 2010. The age of IBH positive chickens ranged from 1 to 7 weeks, but the highest prevalence was observed in the 4 th week of life (Table 2).…”

Hepatic changes in Gallus gallus domesticus in Brazil

“…For other cases, ancillary tests were needed for the final diagnosis or to define the etiology, although the lesions were important in defining the type of ancillary test. These results emphasize the importance of the histopathological examination, for the association of the detected etiology with the corresponding lesions (cause and effect), providing a conclusive diagnosis in many avian diseases (Dolka et al 2012).…”