CURSO : PATHOLOGY AVIAN

INTRODUCTION
Marek's disease or chicken paralysis is a highly contagious viral disease
of chickens.
It is occasionally misdiagnosed as a tissue disease caused by an alpha
herpes virus called Marek's disease virus (MDV) or gallid herpesvirus 2
(GaHV-2).
It is characterized by the presence of T-cell lymphomas and infiltration
of nerves and organs by lymphocytes.
Since 1967 it has been known that the causal agent is a virus of the
Herpes group, which can easily spread in vitro.
In 1907, Marek described for
the first time in Hungary a
disease in birds clinically
characterized by paralysis of
the legs, wings and
occasionally of the gizzard.

Lymphoid tumours were

found in the ovaries.
1941 confusion about the concept of Marek's Disease and leukosis, another
tumour disease of birds.
Benton and Cover tumors in the viscera, skin and muscles in combination with
the classic symptoms of EM.
• Visceral Lymphomatosis that occurs in younger chickens than those affected
by avian leukosis.
• Avian leukosis and Marek's disease have the same etiology.
• Avian leukosis and Marek's disease are two different aetiologies.
• Classical Marek's disease produces paralysis.
• Acute Marek's diseases.
Neurolinfomatosis

Paralisis Aviar.

TWO-WEEK MORTALITY
EM usually appears between 12 and 25
weeks of age, in both light and heavy
breeds.

There are 4 types of EM.

• The classic or nervous form.

• The visceral or acute form.
• Ocular
• Cutaneous.
It is characterized by producing lesions in the nerves such as increase in size,
loss of transversal striations and cmabio of coloration that goes from normal
white to yellowish gray.

Histologically, two types of infiltration of lymphocytes are

observed:Pleomorphic and proliferative lymphocyte infiltration.

Infiltration of small lymphocytes and plasma cells accompanied by

interneural edema.

In both types, demyelination and axon degeneration can be found.

The anatomical lesions are mainly tumorous. They are apparent especially in older subjects where the
course is slow. Tumours affect practically all organs and tissues, modifying their appearance (general
hypertrophy or deformation, change of colour, consistency)
 In Marek's disease, as the nodules on organs enlarge, as
shown on this kidney and ovary, the normal architecture of
the organ is destroyed and sometimes areas of tissue
necrosis can occur.

Only large tumors that are easy to observe become a

consideration. However, it can be stated that the organs
most frequently affected by tumours are the peripheral
nerves, liver, gonads, kidneys and spleen
 BURSA OF FABRICIUS

Tumors may occasionally occur in the Bursa in Marek's disease.

These tumors are diffuse in nature, involving the entire plicae.
The Bursa on the left has a diffuse tumor involving several
plicae, with focal areas of necrosis that should not be confused
with a focal tumor. The Bursa on the right is from a normal bird.
Ocular lesions, sometimes associated with Marek's disease, is
usually due to lymphoid infiltration of iris that causes white
discoloration. The pupil is often irregular (as shown here) and
does not respond to changes of light. A normal eye is on the left.

eye
iris
pupil
On post-mortem examination, gross lesions may be found
in peripheral nerves. Here, the vagus nerve on the bottom
(black arrow) has a grossly evident focal enlargement
caused by Marek’s disease virus.
White Marek’s disease lesions in
the wall of the proventriculus.
Marek's disease tumors in the lungs.
Atherosclerosis (fatty proliferation on vessels) may occur
in chickens infected with some strains of Marek's disease.
This image shows artherosclerosis of blood vessels on the
surface of the gizzard.
Marek's disease tumors in the liver.
Marek's disease tumors distributed throughout the entire
gastrointestinal tract.
Leg paralysis associated with peripheral nerve
involvement in Marek's disease

Paralysis of the legs and wings caused by lymphomas involving

the peripheral nerves, resulting from Marek's disease infection.
 Marek’s disease visceral lymphoma can also produce a more diffuse lesion.
in Marek's disease, organ infiltrates can be focal, as seen Organs, such as this kidney, may become diffusely enlarged, are
in this spleen. sometimes firm on palpation, and may have white to grey areas of
discoloration, as seen here.

This intestinal lesion, caused by Marek’s disease,

demonstrates a nodular type of lymphoma. When nodular
tumors occur, their borders are firmly associated with the
surrounding tissue.

Marek's disease tumors have infiltrated the

jejunum and surrounding mesentery.
Skin is normally detected and shows
thickening of the follicles and change in
skin color.
Acute is characterized by tumors in the abdominal organs such
as the liver, spleen, kidney, ovary or testicles, pancreas,
proventricle and intestines, and in the thoracic organs such as
the heart and lung. Tumors can also be found in the muscles of
the chest and the muscles.
80 to 90% mortality

Microscopically, an infiltration of
lymphocytes of different sizes is
observed, with a predominance of
small lymphocytes, many of which
are degenerative.
 Marek’s disease may be associated with unilateral or bilateral ocular
Marek's disease tumors have infiltrated the pancreas. abnormalities. The most common signs observed are changes in iris color
and shape of iris/pupil (shown here), caused by lymphoid infiltration.

In some cases of Marek's disease, large subcutaneous

lymphomas may be observed throughout the body (shown
here in the leg on the left). A normal leg is shown on the
right for comparison.
Produce cegera
A comparison between a normal chicken on the right and
a chicken infected with Marek's disease on the left. The
eye on the left shows how neoplastic cellular infiltration
of the iris can produce an abnormal iris shape and color.
MD tumors in the testes.
 Vacunación Vaccine to active Marek's disease
virus strain CVI988 associated
with cells in a suspension
containing virus and fibroblasts
of chicken embryo SPF. The
vaccine contains stabilizers and
antibiotics

FARMUNE HVT - IBDV - LT® is

Virazole (1-B-D ribofuranory 1-1,2,4, -trazole-
3, carboxamide), que inhibe a diferentes
grupos de virus entre los que se encuentran
miembros del grupo Herpes.
P- amino-P-UREIDODIPHENYL SULFONE el
alimento al 0.002%.
recommended for use in healthy day-
old chicks with an injection of 0.2 ml
per bird via the ubcutaneous route (in
the middle third of the dorsal neck
region) or in 18-day-old embryonated
eggs by injecting 0.05 ml into the
amniotic cavity (in ovo)
Marek's disease virus is mainly transmitted from chicken to chicken
through inhalation of contaminated dust and dander, as well as
through direct contact between chickens. However, the dark
beetle (Alphitobius diaperinus) can carry Marek's disease virus in
the poultry house
Avian leukosis
Reticuloendoteliosis
Neoplasms
Peripheral neuropathy.
Riboflavin deficiency.
avian tuberculosis
HistomoniasisNewcastle disease
Avian encephalomyelitis and joint lesions
Mycoplasmosis,
Reo-virosis.
Gumboro disease
• Coccidiosis
• Arterioesclerosis
• Anisocoria
• Celulas T.
• Mardivirus
• Infiltración Multiples
BIBLIOGRAFIA

• Hirai, K. (2001). Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, Mareks Disease.

• Fenner,J. Gibbs, E. David, O. (1993). Veterinary Virology. Academic Press.
• Fabricant CG. (1999). Atherosclerosis induced by infection with Marek disease
herpesvirus in chickens.
• Makari, J. (1973). Association between Marek virus and human cáncer. I Detection of
cross reacting antigens between chicken tumors and human tumors. Oncology 28: 164-
175.
• Paul, P.; Larsen, C. and Pomeroy, B. (1972). Preliminary observations on egg transmission
of turkey herpesvirus (HTV) en Turkeys. Avian Dis. 16:27-33.
• Zander, D.; Mill, R. Raymond, R. and Balch, R.(1972) The use of blood from selected
chickens as an immunizing agente for Mareks disease. Avian Dis. 16:163-178.
GRACIAS

GOD BLESS YOU