Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Avian and Rabbit Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
2
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
3
Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Microbiology, Agriculture Research Centre (ARC), Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Zagazig, 44516, Egypt.
Abstract
Egyptian poultry farms are often impacted by many avian diseases, resulting in significant annual losses due to single or combined infections. This study sought to implement a more integrated approach for diagnosing etiological agents linked to hemorrhagic syndrome in broiler chickens, utilizing a newly developed set of primers to detect and identify four prevalent avian haemosporidians. These methodologies serve as a framework for the routine identification and monitoring of field avian pathogens, marking the initial effort for early prevention and control. Real-time PCR, blood smear, hematological analysis, and histopathological examination were employed for the detection and identification of several etiological agents. Our qPCR results identified co-infections in affected flocks including Newcastle disease virus genotype II (NDV-GVII) and Leucocytozoon species (L. sabrazesi and L. caulleryi), alongside other viruses such as avian influenza virus (AIV) (H9), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV), and blood protozoa (Haemoproteus spp., Plasmodium spp.), occurring as triple infections or more in Sharqia Province. This study presents the first documentation of L. sabaresizi in broiler chicken populations in Egypt. Two species of Leucocytozoon (L.
sabrazesi and L. caulleryi), and Plasmodium gallinaceum were identified based on the morphological characteristics of gametocytes in blood smears. A notable reduction in hematological markers. The total leucocytic count (TLC) was markedly reduced in all flocks, particularly in co-infected CIAV flocks (1 and 3), compared to flock no. 2. Histopathological analysis revealed prominent megaloschizonts, indicative of Leucocytozoon, accompanied by significant pathology changes resulting from mixed infections. Finally, Egyptian poultry flocks are often impacted by mixed pathogens. So, the simultaneous detection and differential diagnosis of these co-infections offers a crucial reference for poultry producers to implement prompt and effective disease management measures.
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