In vivo pathological evaluation of naturally occurring infectious Bursal disease in broiler chicken reared under temperate climatic conditions of Kashmir

Abstract

A case compilation study was conducted to assess the clinical signs, hematological and pathomorphological changes observed in the Infectious bursal disease in broiler chicken reared in Ganderbal district of Kashmir valley during the period of May to August, 2019 in commercial broiler farms at Ganderbal district of Kashmir. During this study, a total of 50 sick birds showing characteristics clinical signs of Infectious Bursal Disease and 15 death birds that were brought to the Division of Veterinary pathology for detailed postmortem examination. The confirmation of cases was performed by detection of gross and histopathology of the organs. The blood samples from 20 randomly selected sick birds were tested to routine hematology. The birds showed lymphocytes were highest and basophils were lowest percentages in IBD suspected broiler chicken. The disease was found to occur all around the year and highest incidence was observed during winter. The clinical signs included dullness, depression, anorexia, ruffled feathers and yellow diarrhea. On necropsy, birds showed darkened discolouration of thigh and breast muscles with paint brush like hemorrhages and enlarged bursa with accumulation of thick mucoid, creamy or bloody exudates. Some birds showed congestion and hemorrhages at the junction of bursa and proventriculus. Microscopically, lymphoid depletion, formation of cysts filled with necrotic debris, heterophils and diffused hemorrhages were observed in bursa. This disease remains an economical threat to the poultry industry and require regular monitoring in order to prevent occurrence of disease in poultry farms