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Title: PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS IN CHICKENS, TURKEYS, AND PIGEONS EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS FROM AN OUTBREAK IN CALIFORNIA DURING 2002-2003

Author
item WAKAMATSU, N - UNIV OF GA - ATHENS, GA
item BROWN, C - UNIV OF GA - ATHENS, GA
item Kapczynski, Darrell
item Seal, Bruce
item King, Daniel

Submitted to: Veterinary Pathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2004
Publication Date: 11/10/2004
Citation: Wakamatsu, N., Brown, C., Kapczynski, D.R., Seal, B.S., King, D.J. 2004. Pathologic findings in chickens, turkeys, and pigeons experimentally infected with exotic newcastle disease virus from an outbreak in california during 2002-2003 [abstract]. Veterinary Pathology. 41(5):581.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Exotic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolated from chickens during the 2002-2003 California outbreak was inoculated into 4-week-old SPF White Leghorn chickens, 3-week-old SPF Beltsville White turkeys, 6-week-old commercial Broad Breast White turkeys, and 10 to 20-week-old racing pigeons. Birds were monitored clinically and euthanized sequentially, with oral and cloacal swabs, blood, and tissues collected. Tissues were examined by histopathology and by immunohistochemistry and/or in situ hybridization to detect viral replication and distribution. Clinically, infected chickens and SPF turkeys showed severe depression and all died or were euthanized due to severe clinical signs by 5 days postinoculation. In these birds, histologic lesions were widespread and virus was detected in multiple organs. However, in commercial turkeys and in pigeons, less than 15% of birds showed overt clinical signs, histologic lesions were minimal, and viral distribution was limited. In this study susceptibility to highly virulent NDV did vary among chickens, SPF turkeys, commercial turkeys, and pigeons.