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Hjarre's Disease in Chickens: Clinical, Pathological, Microbiological and Therapeutic Findings

M. N. Islam
Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Dinajpur Government Veterinary College, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh.

B. Z. Fatema
Department of Medicine and Surgery, Dinajpur Government Veterinary College, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh.

M. I. Faruk
Department of Medicine and Surgery, Dinajpur Government Veterinary College, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Hjarre’s disease (Coligranuloma) in commercial chickens was investigated and detected in 5 layer flocks out of 47 outbreaks based on clinical, pathological, microbiological and therapeutical findings. The investigation areas were at Dinajpur and Nilphamari districts, but the laboratory examinations were conducted at Dinajpur Government Veterinary College, Dinajpur, Bangladesh. The flocks had 441, 212, 690, 5400 and 735 birds aged between 26 to 64 weeks and reared in cages. The clinical signs of the affected birds varied markedly from farm to farm and diarrhoea, depression, soiled vent, reduces egg production, loss of body condition and death were recorded. The morbidity rate was around 100%, but the mortality rate was 3-9%. At necropsy the birds showed characteristics nodular lesions on the serosal surface of the intestine, uterus, mesentery and in liver. The affected organs were processed for the bacteriological examination and the organisms were isolated and identified without typification. Gram stained impression smears from the necrotic areas of the nodules revealed gram negative organisms which were isolated by culturing using different agar media and identified by their colony characteristics including biochemical reaction in differential media. No acid fast organisms found on acid fast staining of the impression smears. The collected organs were processed and stained for the histopathological study, where granulomatous inflammation and the characteristic caseation necrosis were recorded. The flocks were treated individually either with colistin sulphate, or fluoroquinolones, or oxytetracycline considering the apparently presence of concurrent infection. The present findings indicated that the poultry is sensitive to colistin sulphate.

Keywords: Hjarre’s disease, E. coli, Clinico-pathology, Therapy, Chickens

Location: Dinajpur and Nilphamari districts, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Chicken

Objectives:

1.To diagnose the disease based on clinical, pathological and microbiological findings as well as

2.To evaluate the response to certain commercially available antibiotic therapy at field level without conducting any drug sensitivity test.

Methodology:

Forty seven outbreaks in layer aged between 26 to 64 weeks reared in cages were investigated. The detailed flock history including types of birds, population of birds/flock, rearing system, age of birds, morbidity, mortality as well as the number of birds examined was presented. The clinical signs were recorded during the physical visit of the affected farms and the farmer’s complaints were also considered. Five out of 47 outbreaks were investigated extensively as they were found to be infected with E. coli. The bird was examined systematically and the postmortem changes observed were recorded during necropsy. The representative tissues were collected and preserved at 10% formalin solution and subsequently processed, embedded with paraffin, sectioned and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histopathological examination. The slides were examined under low and high power objectives and the lesions were recorded. The tissue samples were collected and brought to the bacteriology laboratory with necessary precautions. Impression smears taken from the collected samples was stained with Gram’s stain to demonstrate the bacteria. Acid fast staining was also carried out to differentiate the organisms from the tuberculous bacilli following a recommended procedure. for 5 days, oxytetracycline (Renamycin Powder, Renata Animal Health, Bangladesh) @ 1 g per 2 litre of drinking water daily for 5 days and fluoroquinolones [Flumequine 10% Powder, Arifs (Bangladesh) Limited] @ 1 g per litre of drinking water daily for 5 days were utilized for the treatment of coligranuloma in different farms based on the necropsy findings only. The antibiotics were selected mostly considering the apparently presence or absence of concurrent infections during necropsy findings. The antibiotic course was maintained up to 5 days as per recommendation. Drug sensitivity test for the selection of antibiotic was not performed. Vinegar @ 10 ml per litre of water daily for 5 days was used along with antibiotic as acidifier. The suggestion for improving the sanitation in poultry houses and the management practices to avoid any stress was given along with the treatment. The response to treatment was recorded.

Source of Information: Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2007). 5 (1 & 2): 49–53

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The flocks were treated by the oral administration of colistin sulphate, fluoroquinolones, where apparently concurrent infection was not suspected, and oxytetracycline, where apparently concurrent infection was suspected. Better response to colistin sulphate was recorded.The affected organs were processed for the bacteriological examination and the organisms were isolated and identified without typification. Gram stained impression smears from the necrotic areas of the nodules revealed gram negative organisms which were isolated by culturing using different agar media and identified by their colony characteristics including biochemical reaction in differential media. No acid fast organisms found on acid fast staining of the impression smears. The collected organs were processed and stained for the histopathological study, where granulomatous inflammation and the characteristic caseation necrosis were recorded. The flocks were treated individually either with colistin sulphate, or fluoroquinolones, or oxytetracycline considering the apparently presence of concurrent infection. The present findings indicated that the poultry is sensitive to colistin sulphate. However, investigation of Hjarre’s disease in commercial chickens based on the findings as stated above will certainly help in proper diagnosis of the disease which is sporadically found in Bangladesh and causes a considerable economical loss to the poultry sectors. So, this study will also help to dictate specific medication as well as to take proper prevention and control strategies.

Knowledge Management: Journal