Histopathological study of ascites syndrome in poultry in punjab

The current study was conducted to diagnose Ascites Syndrome in poultry by gross and histopathological approach in Ludhiana, Punjab. A total number of 50 samples were collected from the adult birds brought for necropsy at the Department of Veterinary Pathology, GADVASU. The samples (lungs, liver, heart, kidney, bursa of fabricus etc.) were collected in 10% Neutral buffered formalin and were then processed for histopathological studies. On postmortem examination, distention of abdomen was observed in almost all the cases. Accumulation of straw coloured fluid in the abdominal cavity was a consistent finding. Dark red coloured, severely congested and oedematous lungs with areas of pneumonic consolidation were observed. The liver in affected birds showed severe congestion, mottling and enlargement. Enlargement of the heart with mild to moderate hydropericardium was also observed. In histopathological sections of lungs, plenty of hemorrhagic exudates were observed in parabronchi along with oedema of interlobular tissues and hypertrophy of smooth muscle around the parabronchi. In heart, myocardial fibers were disorganized due to oedema, focal hemorrhages and infiltration of heterophils. In liver, thickening of liver capsule, marked dilation and congestion of sinusoids that caused atrophy of hepatocytes and fibrosis of parenchyma was observed. From the study it was thus concluded that Ascites syndrome effects multiple organs and is present not only at higher altitudes but at plain regions like Punjab also.