Pathological alterations in commercial chicken affected with salmonella infection

The present study was conducted to rule out the prevalence of salmonellosis in Jabalpur region for a period of eight months from July 2020 to February 2021. Approximately 200 dead birds from different commercial poultry farms were necropsied and salmonellosis was recorded in 15.8% of birds by microbial methods. The prevalence of gastrointestinal lesions in layers and broilers was recorded as 8.90% and 91.09%, respectively. Percent lesions recorded for various organs like liver, spleen, intestine and ovary was 71.91%, 58.21%, 68.49% and 38.46% respectively. Total 30 birds received in batches 1 and 2 (Broilers) and batch 3 (Layers) were found positive for Salmonella infection and gross and histopathological alterations were examined in different organs of poultry including liver, spleen, intestine and ovary. Liver of bird with salmonellosis showed hepatomegaly, discoloration hemorrhagic and necrotic foci. Various grades of hemorrhagic to catarrhal enteritis along with congested, hemorrhagic egg follicles with stalk formation in layers were noted in birds with salmonellosis. Fibrinous perihepatitis along with pericarditis was also observed in birds suggestive of mixed infection of Salmonella and E. coli. Grading of histopathological lesions was also performed along with the study of distribution of microscopic lesions in different organs. Presence of Gram-negative bacteria was observed in the intestinal sections using Mac-Callum Good pasture staining.