Marble Spleen Disease In Chickens

The virulence of the virus varies but morbidity may be 100 and mortality 10 60.

Marble spleen disease in chickens.

A viral disease of turkeys similar to pheasant marble spleen disease caused by type ii adenovirus distinct from classical fowl adenovirus and occurring in most turkey producing areas. Marble spleen disease is an acute respiratory disease of pheasants characterized by depression enlarged mottled spleens pulmonary congestion and death. There is prominent macrophage phagocytic cell hyperplasia and intranuclear inclusion bodies in the spleen distended bloody intestines and pseudomembranous fibrinonecrotic. Serologically indistinguishable viruses cause marble spleen disease of pheasants and avian adenovirus splenomegaly in broiler chickens.

Marble spleen disease is caused by a type ii avian adenovirus. The polypeptides of serologically related viruses of hemorrhagic enteritis he in turkeys marble spleen disease msd in pheasants and splenomegaly in chickens smc were separated by sodium. The etiologic agent is a type ii avian adenovirus closely related to hemorrhagic enteritis virus of turkeys and splenomegaly virus of chickens. Both diseases are caused by similar viruses.

Species specific differences in clinical response are thought to be related to differences in the target organs for anaphylaxis and variation in. Marble spleen disease msd is a contagious disease of captive reared ring necked pheasants phasianus colchicus characterized by variable mortality and high morbidity. The source of virus is unknown. Canada and europe during the last 30 years.