Difference between revisions of "Mareks Disease"
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| + | == Introduction == | ||
| − | Marek's disease is a Herpes virus infection of chickens, and rarely turkeys, seen worldwide. Since the | + | Marek's disease is a [[:Category:Herpesviridae|Herpes virus]] infection of chickens, and rarely turkeys, seen worldwide. Since the 1990s highly virulent strains have become a problem in North America and Europe. This disease is the '''most important disease of unvaccinated backyard chickens'''. |
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| + | The route of infection is usually respiratory and the disease is highly contagious being spread by infective feather-follicle dander, fomites, etc. Infected birds remain viraemic for life. Vertical transmission is not considered to be important. The virus replicates initially in the respiratory tract in the lungs and B cells. It then enters feather follicles and produces virus-laden dander that is shed into litter. Eventually the virus reaches T cells, causing proliferation without virus protein production. T cells localize in brain or nerves causing '''encephalitis '''or 'floppy broiler syndrome'. If the animal survives this far, then the end stage of the disease is massive visceral tumors. | ||
| + | Morbidity is around 10-50% and mortality can reach up to 100%. Mortality in an affected flock typically continues at a moderate or high rate for quite a few weeks. Affected birds are more susceptible to other diseases, both parasitic and bacterial. | ||
== Clinical Signs == | == Clinical Signs == | ||
Signs include paralysis of legs, wings and neck and weight loss. The bird will be dull and lethargic. It may have a grey iris or an irregular pupil size. There may be vision impairment and skin around feather follicles appear raised and roughened. | Signs include paralysis of legs, wings and neck and weight loss. The bird will be dull and lethargic. It may have a grey iris or an irregular pupil size. There may be vision impairment and skin around feather follicles appear raised and roughened. | ||
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== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
| − | History (unvaccinated) and clinical signs can provide a presumptive diagnosis of the disease. Differentials should be tested for and excluded, such as avian lymphoid leukosis, botulism, deficiancy of thiamine and deficiancy of calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D (particularly in birds at the start of lay). | + | History (unvaccinated) and clinical signs can provide a presumptive diagnosis of the disease. Differentials should be tested for and excluded, such as avian lymphoid leukosis, [[botulism]], deficiancy of thiamine and deficiancy of calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D (particularly in birds at the start of lay). |
| − | Post mortem can also be performed as part of the diagnostic procedure and lesions seen | + | Post mortem can also be performed as part of the diagnostic procedure and lesions seen may include the presence of grey-white foci of neoplastic tissue in liver, spleen, kidney, lung, gonads, heart, and skeletal muscle as well as thickening of nerve trunks and loss of striation. Microscopically, one will see lymphoid infiltration, which is polymorphic. |
| + | == Treatment and Control == | ||
| + | Control measures include excellent hygiene and management systems e.g. 'all in/ all out' production and removal of litter between batches of chicks. | ||
| − | + | Vaccines are available and used in the UK. The protocol is to administer the vaccine 'in ovum' at 18 days or at one day old. New virulent strains have evolved in recent years, which is leading to ineffective vaccines. | |
| − | + | == References == | |
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| + | Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Eighth Edition), ''Merial'' | ||
| + | Jordan, F, Pattison, M, Alexander, D, Faragher, T, (1999) '''Poultry Diesease''' (Fifth edition), ''W.B. Saunders'' | ||
| − | + | Randell, C.J, (1985) '''Disease of the Domestic Fowl and Turkey''', ''Wolfe Medical Publication Ltd'' | |
| − | + | Saif, Y.M, (2008) '''Disease of Poultry''' (Twelfth edition), ''Blackwell Publishing '' | |
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| − | + | [[Category:Herpesviridae]][[Category:Neurological Diseases - Birds]] [[Category:Avian_Viruses]] [[Category:Expert_Review]] | |
Revision as of 11:01, 28 March 2011
 |
This article has been peer reviewed but is awaiting expert review. If you would like to help with this, please see more information about expert reviewing. |
Introduction
Marek's disease is a Herpes virus infection of chickens, and rarely turkeys, seen worldwide. Since the 1990s highly virulent strains have become a problem in North America and Europe. This disease is the most important disease of unvaccinated backyard chickens.
The route of infection is usually respiratory and the disease is highly contagious being spread by infective feather-follicle dander, fomites, etc. Infected birds remain viraemic for life. Vertical transmission is not considered to be important. The virus replicates initially in the respiratory tract in the lungs and B cells. It then enters feather follicles and produces virus-laden dander that is shed into litter. Eventually the virus reaches T cells, causing proliferation without virus protein production. T cells localize in brain or nerves causing encephalitis or 'floppy broiler syndrome'. If the animal survives this far, then the end stage of the disease is massive visceral tumors.
Morbidity is around 10-50% and mortality can reach up to 100%. Mortality in an affected flock typically continues at a moderate or high rate for quite a few weeks. Affected birds are more susceptible to other diseases, both parasitic and bacterial.
Clinical Signs
Signs include paralysis of legs, wings and neck and weight loss. The bird will be dull and lethargic. It may have a grey iris or an irregular pupil size. There may be vision impairment and skin around feather follicles appear raised and roughened.
Diagnosis
History (unvaccinated) and clinical signs can provide a presumptive diagnosis of the disease. Differentials should be tested for and excluded, such as avian lymphoid leukosis, botulism, deficiancy of thiamine and deficiancy of calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D (particularly in birds at the start of lay).
Post mortem can also be performed as part of the diagnostic procedure and lesions seen may include the presence of grey-white foci of neoplastic tissue in liver, spleen, kidney, lung, gonads, heart, and skeletal muscle as well as thickening of nerve trunks and loss of striation. Microscopically, one will see lymphoid infiltration, which is polymorphic.
Treatment and Control
Control measures include excellent hygiene and management systems e.g. 'all in/ all out' production and removal of litter between batches of chicks.
Vaccines are available and used in the UK. The protocol is to administer the vaccine 'in ovum' at 18 days or at one day old. New virulent strains have evolved in recent years, which is leading to ineffective vaccines.
References
Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition), Merial
Jordan, F, Pattison, M, Alexander, D, Faragher, T, (1999) Poultry Diesease (Fifth edition), W.B. Saunders
Randell, C.J, (1985) Disease of the Domestic Fowl and Turkey, Wolfe Medical Publication Ltd
Saif, Y.M, (2008) Disease of Poultry (Twelfth edition), Blackwell Publishing