OUTBREAK OF HEPATITIS AND HYDROPERICARDIUM SYNDROME IN BROILERS BY FOWL ADENOVIRUS GROUP I IN BRAZIL

Abstract:

Fowl Adenovirus group I (FAdV) are immunosuppressive and aetiological agents of hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome (HPS), which causing economic losses. On March (2011), commercial broilers flocks in Sao Paulo State showed severe diarrhea, prostration, increased mortality and poor weight gain after the fourth week of life. At necropsy were observed hepatitis (enlarged pale yellow-colored livers) and hydropericardium (straw-colored liquid in the pericardial sac). Gross lesions were also observed in kidneys, bursa, thymus, intestines and gallbladder. Samples of these organs were subjected to PCR directed to hexon gene of FAdVs group I, and isolation in SPF embryonated eggs. Serum samples were submitted to ELISA for Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV), Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV), Reovirus and Chicken Anemia Virus (CAV). The PCR results were positive for FAdV in liver, thymus, pancreas, kidneys and duodenum samples. ELISA tests demonstrated high antibodies title to Reovirus and CAV. The lesions of hepatitis were reproduced in embryonated eggs. Since 1970s it was thought that syndrome resulted only when the birds were also infected with other immunosuppressive agents. However, experiments demonstrated that FAdV alone was capable to cause the classical signs of HPS. If FAdV and immunosuppressive agents occurs together there is a synergy effect, and the symptoms are more pronounced. To our knowledge, this is the first report of FAdV causing HPS in Brazil. Further investigations are needed to analyze the spread of FAdVs in Brazilian poultry flocks and which serotypes are most predominant for …

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