Outbread of disease in turkeys farms attributed to haemorrhagic enteritis

Abstract

The pathological and ultraestructural changes detected in different organ samples obtained from commercial turkeys suffering a disease resembling hemorrhagic enteritis are described.

At necropsy, the turkeys presented intestine lesions characterized by distention and bloody content. Histopathologically the lesions were characterized by hemorrhagic enteritis, hyperemia and mononuclear cell infiltration in the lamina propia. Some intestines had necrotic lesions which were attributed to a secondary bacterial infection.

The spleen showed enlargement and a mottled gray-white appearance that alternated with a dark red background. Histopathologically, large zones of necrosis were seen in the germinal centers, as well as lymphocyte depletion. Hyperplasia of reticular cells with presence of intranuclear inclusion bodies and a margination of the cromatine was observed. The electron microscopy showed hexagonal viral particles of 55-58 nm of diameter, that according to the size and form, should correspond to adenovirus type II.