Co-existence of fowl cholera and lymphoid leucosis in Desi chickens

Abstract

Sudden death of birds were reported in a poultry farm located at Chengalpattu district in Tamil Nadu, India. Flock strength of the farm was 372 Aseel cross birds in which 79% mortality and 87% morbidity was reported over a week period of time. Disease investigation was started with post moterm examination of dead birds revealed hepatomegaly with necrotic foci along with swollen foot. Bacterial isolation and PCR confirmed the Pasturella multocida infection in this flock. The flock was also found to be positive for Avian lymphoid leucosis by PCR. Further, PCR was carried out to identify the subgroups of ALV (A, B, C, D and E) which has revealed that the samples were positive for ALV-E which is endogenous subgroup and negative for other exogenous subgroups. This study reports the co-infection of Fowl cholera and Avian lymphoid leucosis subgroup E in chickens.