Immunohistochemical detection of New Castle Disease virus antigen in proventriculus of persistently infected broilers

The cellular localisation of viral antigen in proventriculus organ of broilers with New-Castle disease virus (NDV) infection was studied, A mortality of 8.9% in poultry of five different farms around Kolkata was observed. Necropsy findings were ulceration and haemorrhage in proventriculus and caeco-colic junctions. The NDV was detected from a tissue pool of spleen, brain and brain marrow by haemagglutination (HA) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. The antibody against NDV was produced in rabbit inoculating the filtrate of NDV antigen. Histopathologically, the cellular and architectural details of lobules were disorganised in glandular proventriculus. Plicae and sulcus were also fragmented. Degeneration and necrosis of columnar cells were present. Extensive haemorrhage in the lumen of different ducts as well as degeneration and necrosis of plicae and sulci were seen. Intestine showed the presence of necrosis of Peyer's patches. Villi and crypts were necrosed and haemorrhagic in nature. Lungs showed various degree of congestion. Infiltration of inflammatory cells was seen in liver. Immunohistochemical method showed the presence of NDV antigen in epithelial cells of proventriculus. Tendency of aggregation of NDV antigen was also observed. The immunoreactivity may be considered as a confirmative diagnostic tool in NDV infection in broiler.