Marek's Disease in a Flock of Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica) in Germany.

A case of increased mortality was investigated at a German farm housing Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) for egg production. Different age groups were kept in aviaries in one barn. The quail chicks had diarrhea and the adults were emaciated, some also with diarrhea and conjunctivitis. Postmortem examination showed gross tumorlike lesions in 7 of 15 adult quails examined, with ocular lesions in 2 of them. On histopathological examination, infiltrates of monomorphic round cells were found in liver, spleen, lung, and proventriculus. In the eyes of two quails, similar cells were infiltrating the choroid layer, limbus, and adjacent parts of the cornea. Malignant lymphoma was diagnosed. Immunohistochemical examination identified tumor cells as T cells, and Mardivirus gallidalpha 2-specific PCR was positive for five quails with gross lesions. Additionally, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae were detected in the chicks and Clostridium spp. and coccidia in the adults. Marek's EcoQ protein (Meq) gene from Mardivirus gallidalpha 2 was sequenced and analyzed, confirming Marek's disease. The results of our examinations demonstrate that the ocular lesions were caused by Marek's disease and that the Meq gene from Mardivirus gallidalpha 2 was detected in the flock of quails. As a control strategy for Marek's disease in quails, an all-in/all-out system was introduced. Additional laying quails acquired from a breeder at 35 days of life were vaccinated at stabling with a combined turkey herpesvirus (HVT)-Rispens vaccine and 14 days later with a Rispens vaccine. Subsequently, the losses and laying rates returned to normal.

Reporte de caso- Enfermedad de Marek en una parvada de codornices japonesas (Coturnix japonica) en Alemania. Se investigó un caso de aumento de la mortalidad en una granja alemana que alberga codornices japonesas (Coturnix japonica) para la producción de huevo. Se alojaron diferentes grupos de edad en una caseta. Los polluelos de codorniz tenían diarrea y los adultos presentaron emaciación, algunos también con diarrea y conjuntivitis. El examen post mortem mostró lesiones tumorales macroscópicas en 7 de 15 codornices adultas examinadas, con lesiones oculares en dos de ellas. En el examen histopatológico se encontraron infiltrados de células redondas monomórficas en el hígado, el bazo, los pulmones y el proventrículo. En los ojos de dos codornices, células similares infiltraron la capa coroidea, el limbo y las partes adyacentes de la córnea. Se diagnóstico linfoma maligno. El examen inmunohistoquímico identificó células tumorales como células T, y el método de PCR específico para Mardivirus gallidalpha 2 fue positivo con cinco codornices que presentaban lesiones macroscópicas. Además, se detectó Proteus mirabilis y Klebsiella pneumoniae en los polluelos y Clostridium spp. y coccidias en las aves adultas. Se secuenció y analizó el gene de la proteína EcoQ (Meq) de Mardivirus gallidalpha 2, lo que confirmó la enfermedad de Marek. Los resultados de estos exámenes demuestran que las lesiones oculares fueron causadas por la enfermedad de Marek y que el gene Meq del Mardivirus gallidalpha 2 fue detectado en la parvada de codornices. Como estrategia de control de la enfermedad de Marek en codornices, se introdujo un sistema todo dentro/todo fuera. Codornices de postura adicionales adquiridas de un criador a los 35 días de vida fueron vacunadas cuando se alojaron en la caseta con una vacuna combinada contra el herpesvirus del pavo (HVT) y Rispens y 14 días después con una vacuna Rispens. Posteriormente, las pérdidas y los índices de postura volvieron a la normalidad.

OCCURRENCE AND RELEVANCE OF MYCOPLASMA STURNI IN FREE-RANGING CORVIDS IN GERMANY.

Several Mycoplasma spp. are well-known pathogens in poultry. In birds of prey, White Storks ( Ciconia ciconia ), and some waterfowl (Anatidae, Pelecanidae) species, mycoplasmas occur commonly and seem to be apathogenic or commensal and most likely belong to the physiologic microbial flora of the respiratory tract. In other bird species, such as Common Nightingales ( Luscinia megarhynchos ) and tits (Paridae), Mycoplasma spp. are absent in healthy birds. In corvids, the prevalence and role of Mycoplasma spp. in disease remains unclear. In previous studies, Mycoplasma sturni was detected in diseased corvids; however, those studies included only a limited sample size or preselected individuals. We collected tracheal swabs of 97 free-ranging Corvidae, including 68 randomly selected individuals from hunting bags and 29 birds that had been admitted to a veterinary clinic. Tracheal swabs were examined for Mycoplasma spp. using culture and genus-specific PCR. If Mycoplasma spp. were detected, the species were identified by sequencing the 16S ribosomal (r) RNA gene and 16-23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer region. Five of 68 (7%) of the hunted birds and nine of 29 (31%) of the birds admitted to the veterinary clinic were PCR positive. In 13 of 14 PCR-positive samples, mycoplasmas were cultured and M. sturni was the only mycoplasmal species identified. None of the positive corvids from the hunting bags had clinical signs, whereas five of nine birds admitted to the veterinary clinic showed apathy, lameness, injuries, or fractures, which may not be associated with mycoplasmal infections. These data support the notion that M. sturni is the Mycoplasma sp. most frequently found in corvids, though its prevalence and ability to cause disease may involve interaction with other aspects of bird health.