Also known as Marblebone, Thick leg disease
Osteopetrosis (Marble Bone, Thick leg disease) occurs worldwide in chickens or 8.12 weeks of age. It is caused by RNA retrovirus, which belongs to subgroup B, or lymphoid leukosis viruses.
- Causes of Osteopetrosis >
- Effects of Osteopetrosis >
- Diagnosis of Osteopetrosis >
- Treatment & Control of Osteopetrosis >
Causes of Osteopetrosis
This is a rare type of leucosis. Chickens are susceptible or 8.12 weeks to this chronic disease. The agent involved in the aetiology is a RNA virus belonging to the Retroviridae family, which belongs to subgroup B, or lymphoid leucosis viruses.
Mode of transmission
It is spread laterally among transovarian or hatch mates.
Effects of Osteopetrosis
The incubation period is 1 month.
Long bones of the limbs show a uniform or irregular Thickening of the diaphysial or metaphysical regions.
A characteristic sign is a stunted, pale bird, with "boat-like" shanks. The birds walk with a stilted gait or limp.
Post mortem lesions
Bone alternations occur in the diaphysis of the pelvis, shoulder girdle and ribs. Distinct pale yellow foci occur against the gray-white translucent normal bone. The periosteum is thickened and abnormal bone is SPONGY and is easily cut.
Osteopetrosis and lymphoid leucosis frequently occur together in the same bird.
There can be atrophy of the spleen, thymus and bursa.
Diagnosis of Osteopetrosis
Gross and microscopic observation of bone tumors are diagnosed. SPONGY centripetally toward the center converges bone of the shaft. There is an increase in size and Irregularity of Haversian canals and increase in number and size of Lacunae. Osteocytes are more numerous, large and Eosinophilic. New bone is basophilic and Fibrous.
It Simulates Rickets and osteoporosis.
Treatment & Control of Osteopetrosis
Prevention
Virus-free breeders should be selected
Treatment
None.
