FOWL POX
Introduction
Fowlpox is a slow-spreading viral infection of
chickens and turkeys.
It is characterized by proliferative lesions in the
skin that progress to thick scabs (cutaneous
form) and by lesions in the upper GI and
respiratory tracts (diphtheritic form).
Virulent strains may cause lesions in the
internal organs (systemic form.
Fowl pox is seen worldwide (History)
Etiology
FP is caused by Avipoxvirus an epitheliotropic
DNA virus from the Avipox genus, the
Poxviridae family.
Some virus types (strains) exist: fowl pox virus,
turkey pox virus, pigeon
The viruses are very resistant to environmental
factors and could persist for several months.
Transmission
There are three possible ways in which the virus
can be spread.
Commonly, the virus is shed from Fowl pox
wounds on affected birds and enters its next
victim through skin wounds. (Normal healthy skin
will act as an effective barrier to Fowl pox virus).
Biting insects can carry the virus from one bird to
another.
Pox viruses that infect mammals can be spread
through the air and it is thought that this may be a
way for Fowl pox to be transmitted
Clinical Findings
The cutaneous form of fowlpox is characterized
by nodular lesions on various parts of the
unfeathered skin of chickens and on the head
and upper neck of turkeys.
Generalized lesions of feathered skin may also be
seen.
In some cases, lesions are limited chiefly to the
feet and legs.
The lesion is initially a raised, blanched, nodular
area that enlarges, becomes yellowish, and
progresses to a thick, dark scab.
Multiple lesions usually develop. Lesions in various
stages of development may be found on the same
bird.
Localization around the nostrils may cause nasal
discharge.
Cutaneous lesions on the eyelids may cause
complete closure of one or both eyes and may
significantly decrease flock performance.
In the diphtheritic form of fowlpox, lesions develop
on the mucous membranes of the mouth, esophagus,
pharynx, larynx, and trachea (wetpox or fowl
diphtheria).
Mouth lesions interfere with feeding.
Tracheal lesions cause difficulty in respiration.
In case of systemic infection caused by virulent
fowl pox virus strains, lesions may be seen in
internal organs.
More than one form of the disease, ie,
cutaneous, diphtheritic, and/or systemic, may
be seen in a single bird.
Extensive infection in a layer flock results in
decreased egg production.
Cutaneous infections alone ordinarily cause
low or moderate mortality, and these flocks
generally return to normal production after
recovery. Mortality is usually high in
diphtheritic or systemic infections.
Diagnosis:
Cutaneous infections usually produce
characteristic gross and microscopic lesions.
When only small cutaneous lesions are present,
it is often difficult to distinguish them from
abrasions caused by fighting.
Microscopic examination of affected tissues
stained with H&E reveals eosinophilic
cytoplasmic inclusion bodies.
The elementary bodies in the inclusion bodies
can be detected in smears from lesions stained
by the Gimenez method.
Chicken inoculation:- apply virus suspension-
denuded the feather follicles (pluck 5-6
feathers) typical pox take develops in 5-10 days
at the site of inoculation.
PCR can be used to amplify genomic DNA
sequences of various sizes using specific
primers. This procedure is useful when an
extremely small amount of viral DNA is
present in the sample.
Serological tests:-
Agar gel diffusion test
Electron microscopy reveals fowl pox virions
Fluorescent antibody staining method is used
to detect antigen.
Differential diagnosis
Pantothenic acid deficiency
Diphtheritic form
Infectious coryza
Avitmonosis
Prevention and Treatment:
Where fowl pox is prevalent, chickens and
turkeys should be vaccinated with a live-
embryo or cell-culture-propagated virus
vaccine.
vaccination with an attenuated vaccine of cell-
culture origin in the first few weeks of life and
revaccination at 12–16 wk is often sufficient.
Fowl Pox is a virus and cannot be treated with
any antibiotics (which are all designed to fight
bacteria not viruses); however, secondary
infections are common with FP.
When possible, fresh air and sunshine always
help birds to breathe and feel better as well as
helping the body to fight illness with more
vigor.
After the disease has passed, a change of
bedding may help reduce the number of
infective scabs present.
Where possible, keeping mosquito populations
reduced by preventing standing water is
always helpful as well.
Carcasses of dead or affected birds should be
buried.
Control mosquito
Biosecurity
Zoonotic Risk
There is no zoonotic risk associated with fowl
pox virus.
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