Blood biochemistry responses of chickens experimentally infected with a Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus (Kudu 113)

This study investigated the blood biochemistry responses of cockerels  experimentally infected with a velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain,  KUDU 113. One hundred Isa white cockerels were used for the study. The cockerels were obtained at day-old and randomly divided into groups A- vaccinated and  infected, B - unvaccinated and infected and C- unvaccinated and uninfected  (control) consisting of 30, 30 and 40 birds respectively. Group A was vaccinated against NDV with La Sota vaccine at three weeks of age while Groups B and C were not vaccinated. After six weeks, each bird in groups A and B were inoculated  intramuscularly (im) with the velogenic NDV while the control group was not  inoculated. Blood samples were randomly collected through the jugular vein from five birds in each group, allowed to clot at room temperature, centrifuged and serum  harvested. Blood biochemistry determinations were carried out on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 21 post-inoculation (pi). Parameters determined included serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, total serum proteins, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, blood glucose level, total  cholesterol, total calcium, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid. Data generated were analyzed using ANOVA and Student’s t-test. Results showed decreased (p<0.05) total protein, albumin, globulin and total calcium levels and increased (p<0.05) plasma glucose and total cholesterol levels in groups A and B when compared with the unvaccinated uninfected control. Hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hypocalcemia together with increased globulin, blood glucose and total cholesterol levels may be early signs of velogenic NDV infection in chickens. The absence of any negative effects on total proteins and calcium concentration in vaccinated infected when compared to the unvaccinated infected birds underscores the importance of vaccination not only in prevention of mortality due to velogenic NDV but also reduction of pathologic effects on vaccinated infected birds.Key words: Chickens, Isa white, Velogenic NDV, KUDU 113, Blood biochemistry

Comparative Haematology of Chickens and Turkeys Experimentally Infected with a Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus

This study compared the haematological findings in cockerels and turkeys infected with a velogenic Newcastle disease virus. One hundred and twenty day-old birds each of cockerels and turkeys, making a total of two hundred and forty were used for the study. The bird types were randomly divided into four groups each making a total of eight groups. Two groups in each species were vaccinated against NDV with La Sota vaccine at three weeks of age via drinking water. The vaccinated and unvaccinated cockerels and turkeys were inoculated with the velogenic NDV at six weeks of age while the control groups were not vaccinated and not inoculated. Blood samples were randomly collected from five birds in each group for haematological analyses at days 0, 3, 6, 10, 15 and 21 post inoculation (pi). The results showed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and total red blood cell count in unvaccinated infected turkeys, but showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in total white blood cell (WBC) and heterophil counts throughout the days of the experiment. The increase in the total white blood cell counts was observed three days pi in the cockerels. There was reduction of lymphocytes in unvaccinated but infected cockerels and turkeys three days pi. The erythrocyte and leukocyte values in unvaccinated but infected cockerels and turkeys were similar. The values were lower than those recorded in vaccinated and infected birds. Thus, vaccination against the disease can ameliorate the adverse effect of the virus on haematological parameters. Vaccination of the birds against velogenic Newcastle disease virus reduced morbidity and mortality.Keywords: Haematology, Velogenic NDV, Vaccination, Cockerels, Turkey

Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis Complicated with Hepatic Degeneration in a Yankassa Sheep: A Postmortem Report

Suppurative thyroiditis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease. Most bacterial infections of the thyroid gland occur via the pyriform sinus fistulae and by hematogenous spread from systemic bacterial diseases. A 2 year-old Yankasa ewe was presented with complaint of anorexia, weakness and a swelling 4-5cm around the ventral neck region near the larynx. Swelling was identified as abscesses. The cut section of the gland contained a thick creamy purulent exudate from which Staphylococcus aureus was isolated. Microscopically there was necrosis and accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages in the thyroid gland. The liver showed fatty degeneration of the hepatocytes. Staphylococcus aureus, a pyogenic bacterium is a normal micro biota but can also be an opportunistic pathogen especially with immunosuppression. Most of the published literature on acute suppurative thyroiditis are related to humans. Hence in this report we present a rare case of thyroiditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in Ovine species. Keywords: Neutrophilic Infiltrations; Staphylococcus aureus; Suppurative; Thyroiditis; Yankass