Histological and molecular diagnosis of poultry tumours

A total of 189 different tissues, from 72 cases of poultry, were collected to investigate the organ-wise incidence of tumours by various diagnostic methods. Grossly, 25% of 72 cases were suspected for Marek's disease (MD), 62.5% for lymphoid leucosis (LL), 9.72% for fibromas and 2.78% for haemangioma. Histopathologically, of 189 tissue samples 120 (63.49%) were confirmed as Marek's disease, 55 (29.10%) as LL and 14 (7.41%) as other neoplastic conditions which included cases of adenoma, hepatoma, haemangioma, fibroma, nephroblastoma, chondroma, granulosa cell tumour, endothelioma and osteofibroma. Fifty nine tissue samples confirmed for MD and LL were subjected for PCR analysis and 30(50.85%) of the samples were positive for MD, 25(42.37%) of the samples were positive for ALV. DNA of 4(6.78%) samples was neither amplified for MDV nor for ALV with either of the primers. The above study indicated that the incidence of Marek's disease was found to be more followed by lymphoid leucosis. Gross examination of tumours was found to be an aid in diagnosing the type of tumours in poultry. PCR was established as the quick method to diagnose MD and ALV infections. Histopathology was found to be the best and reliable method for diagnosis of the type of tumour.