Marek’s Disease in A Flock Of 32 – Week Old Commercial Laying Birds

Marek's disease (MD) is a highly contagious viral neoplastic disease in chickens. The disease is characterized by the presence of T cell lymphoma as well as infiltration of nerves and organs by lymphocytes. Organs that are commonly affected include the ovary, spleen, liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, proventriculus and adrenals.This is a Marek’s disease acase report in 32weeks layer with the following post-mortem findings:moderately emaciation, areas of whitish nodules on the kidney, liver and spleen, varying from 2-8mm in diameter, liver and spleen severely enlarged, moderate enlargement of sciatic nerve and kidneys. Histopathologically there were necrosis and desquamation of the hepatocytes with severe lymphocytic infiltration and lymphocytic infiltration of the spleen.