Causes: Double stranded DNA viruses of the family Adenovirus. There are three serologically-distinct avian adenoviruses. Serotype I viruses cause IBHV, quail bronchitis, HE and MSD. Serotype II virus produces AAS and Serotype III virus causes Egg drop syndrome.

Effects: Signs include paleness, depression and bloody diarrhoea, with up to 60% mortality. Asphyxia (can’t breathe) also occurs in AAS.

Turkeys (HE), pheasants (MSD) and chickens (AAS). All these diseases have acute action. HE occurs at 4-14 weeks; MSD 3-8 months; and AAS is all age chickens. All three diseases are caused by an adenovirus which is a nonenveloped, icosohedral symmetry, DNA virus with diameter of 70-90 nm.

It spreads laterally by the oral route or vertically through the cloaca.

HE can cause a transient low-level immunodepression. There are three serologically distinct avian adenoviruses, which can be differentiated by the AGP test. Serotype I viruses cause IBHV, quail bronchitis, HE and MSDV. Serotype II produces AAS and serotype III virus produces egg drop syndrome.

Signs include paleness, depression, mortality (to 60%), bloody diarrhoea, and asphyzia (can’t breath) in AAS.

Lesions include haemorrhages in the gut, liver, proventriculus and gizzard and anaemia. An enlarged mottled spleen and free blood in the intestines can be seen and with MSD oedema and congestion of lungs are also evident.

Agar gel precipitin (AGP) test and ELISA can be used to measure antibody. Intranuclear inclusion bodies occur in the reticuloendothelial (RE) cells of the spleen. It simulates coccidiosis, VVND, bacterial and fungal diseases.

Treatment and control:

Commercial vaccines are available for use at 4 weeks in the water for HE and MSD.

None.

Back to "H" Health & Diseases page

Back to main Health & Diseases page