Marble Spleen Disease In Chickens

The etiologic agent is a type ii avian adenovirus closely related to hemorrhagic enteritis virus of turkeys and splenomegaly virus of chickens.

Marble spleen disease in chickens.

There is prominent macrophage phagocytic cell hyperplasia and intranuclear inclusion bodies in the spleen distended bloody intestines and pseudomembranous fibrinonecrotic. Both diseases are caused by similar viruses. Canada and europe during the last 30 years. 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 lesions are pathognomonic. The virulence of the virus varies but morbidity may be 100 and mortality 10 60. 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 msd is a contagious disease of captive reared ring necked pheasants phasianus colchicus characterized by variable mortality and high morbidity.

Serologically indistinguishable viruses cause marble spleen disease of pheasants and avian adenovirus splenomegaly in broiler chickens. Marble spleen disease is an acute respiratory disease of pheasants characterized by depression enlarged mottled spleens pulmonary congestion and death. The type ii adenoviruses include marble spleen disease virus of pheasants hemorrhagic enteritis virus of turkeys and splenomegaly virus of chickens which are morphologically and serologically indistinguishable. The source of virus is unknown.