Hepatic changes in Gallus gallus domesticus in Brazil / Alterações hepáticas em Gallus gallus domesticus no Brasil

The occurrence and the frequency of hepatic changes in chickens, including broiler (BC), layer (LC) and backyard chickens (BYC) were investigated. The retrospective and prospective study (2006-2021) was conducted with a total of 300 cases of liver disorders. Industrial poultry (BC and LC) were frequently affected (88%) and noninfectious changes were the most diagnosed (69%). Considering etiology or conditions, the hepatic changes were classified as follows: degenerative changes (42%), bacterial (28%), metabolic (15%), toxic (8%), viral (3%), neoplastic (2%), protozoal diseases (1.5%) and circulatory disorders (0.5%). Regarding the type of bird, degenerative, toxic changes and viral hepatitis were more frequent in BC. Circulatory and metabolic disorders, as well as bacterial hepatitis, were more frequently diagnosed in LC. Neoplastic and protozoal hepatitis occurred more frequently in BYC. The macroscopic examination in association with histopathology enabled the diagnosis of the hepatic changes in 59% of the cases. Considering bacterial hepatitis in commercial poultry, the etiological diagnosis is highly important, in view of the risk for public health, despite the obvious importance due to the productivity losses and condemnation at processing.

A ocorrência e a frequência de alterações hepáticas em aves, incluindo frangos de corte (FC), galinhas poedeiras (GP) e aves de subsistência (AS) foram investigadas. O estudo retrospectivo e prospectivo (2006-2021) foi realizado com um total de 300 casos de alterações hepáticas. Aves industriais (FC e GP) foram frequentemente acometidas (88%) e as alterações não infecciosas foram as mais comumente diagnosticadas (69%). Quanto à etiologia ou condição, as alterações hepáticas foram classificadas da seguinte forma: alterações degenerativas (42%), bacterianas (28%), metabólicas (15%), tóxicas (8%), virais (3%), neoplásicas (2%), bem como doenças por protozoários (1,5%) e distúrbios circulatórios (0,5%). Em relação ao tipo de ave, alterações degenerativas, tóxicas e hepatites virais foram mais frequentes nos FC. Distúrbios circulatórios e metabólicos, assim como hepatites bacterianas, foram diagnosticados com maior frequência nas GP. Neoplasias e hepatite por protozoário ocorreram com maior frequência em AS. O exame macroscópico associado à histopatologia possibilitou o diagnóstico da alteração hepática em 59% dos casos. Considerando a hepatite bacteriana em aves comerciais, o diagnóstico etiológico é de grande importância, em vista do risco para a saúde pública, apesar da óbvia importância devido às perdas de produtividade e condenação no processamento.

Pathology of severe urolithiasis in a flock of egg-laying hens

Fourteen, 31-week-old Lohmann white layers from a flock of 30,000 chickens had a history of apathy, and a drop in egg production. Clinical signs were observed in approximately 40% of the flock, and lasted for three months. Fourteen hens were euthanized for post-mortem examinations. Macroscopic findings included marked atrophy and loss of renal lobes along with compensatory renal hypertrophy of the contralateral lobe. Ureters were markedly dilated and filled with mucus and/or with molded white to yellow-grey uroliths that obliterated the lumen. At histopathology, the uroliths inside ureters and tubules were composed of concentrically arranged mineralized concretions, as well as urates associated with heterophilic infiltrations and epithelial hyperplasia. Renal parenchyma adjacent to obstructed ureters was compressed with tubules replaced by fibrous tissue. Multifocal interstitial lymphocytic nephritis, proteinuria and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis were also found. Heterophilic and caseous ureteritis associated with numerous Gram-positive coccoid bacteria occurred in three chickens. Immunohistochemistry for avian coronavirus was negative. This negative result along with the case history indicated that water restriction was the most likely cause of mortality. This condition resulted in significant economic loss for this farmer.(AU)

Pathology of severe urolithiasis in a flock of egg-laying hens

Fourteen, 31-week-old Lohmann white layers from a flock of 30,000 chickens had a history of apathy, and a drop in egg production. Clinical signs were observed in approximately 40% of the flock, and lasted for three months. Fourteen hens were euthanized for post-mortem examinations. Macroscopic findings included marked atrophy and loss of renal lobes along with compensatory renal hypertrophy of the contralateral lobe. Ureters were markedly dilated and filled with mucus and/or with molded white to yellow-grey uroliths that obliterated the lumen. At histopathology, the uroliths inside ureters and tubules were composed of concentrically arranged mineralized concretions, as well as urates associated with heterophilic infiltrations and epithelial hyperplasia. Renal parenchyma adjacent to obstructed ureters was compressed with tubules replaced by fibrous tissue. Multifocal interstitial lymphocytic nephritis, proteinuria and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis were also found. Heterophilic and caseous ureteritis associated with numerous Gram-positive coccoid bacteria occurred in three chickens. Immunohistochemistry for avian coronavirus was negative. This negative result along with the case history indicated that water restriction was the most likely cause of mortality. This condition resulted in significant economic loss for this farmer.