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Vet Pathol 39:161-164 (2002)
© 2002 American College of Veterinary Pathologists
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS AND CASE REPORTS

Cardiomyopathy in Broiler Chickens Congenitally Infected with Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J

N. L. Stedman and T. P. Brown

Abstract

Dilated cardiomyopathy and ascites in broiler chickens are frequently associated with rapid growth and pulmonary hypertension, but can be associated with some avian leukosis virus (ALV) infections. The novel subgroup J of ALV has a high cardiac tropism, but dilated cardiomyopathy has not been reported previously. We report a dilated cardiomyopathy incidence of 11.1% in broiler chickens congenitally infected with ALV subgroup J (ALV-J). Gross lesions included severe body weight suppression, cardiomegaly with biventricular dilation, right ventricular hypertrophy, visceral congestion, and ascites. Cardiac myocytes and Purkinje fibers contained 2- to 10-µm intracytoplasmic magenta inclusions that contained ALV-J–specific nucleic acid. Ultrastructurally, inclusions contained ribosomes and immature virions and were associated with myofibril disruption and disarray. Peracute centrilobular hepatic necrosis was present in most cases. ALV-J–associated cardiomyopathy may involve a direct viral effect on cardiac myocytes and Purkinje fibers.

Key words: Avian leukosis virus; cardiomyopathy; chickens; heart; Purkinje fibers; retrovirus.

Request reprints from Dr. N. L. Stedman, Athens Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 (USA). E-mail: nstedman{at}vet.uga.edu.




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N. Chai and P. Bates
Na+/H+ exchanger type 1 is a receptor for pathogenic subgroup J avian leukosis virus
PNAS, April 4, 2006; 103(14): 5531 - 5536.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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