Infectious Laryngotracheitis in a Small Flock of Chickens
In a 14-day period, two adult chickens presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals Exotic Pet Service, and the bodies of three adult chickens were submitted to the Animal Health Diagnostic Center. All were hens of varying breeds and ages from the same mixed source flock, and had a complaint of either respiratory disease or sudden death. The flock had a history of mycoplasma infections and a recent outbreak of respiratory disease of unknown etiology. On presentation, one of the live hens had signs of dyspnea, wheezing, raspy vocalization, sneezing, and conjunctivitis and was euthanized due to her poor condition. The other live hen had severe sinusitis and ocular and nasal discharge, and died several hours after presentation. All of the birds were submitted for necropsy and other post mortem diagnostics. Gross findings related to the respiratory signs varied. Three birds had tracheal lesions, which ranged from moderate subacute diffuse tracheitis to severe subacute diffuse fibrinonecrotizing tracheitis with tracheal casts. Other lesions included severe diffuse sinusitis and mild multifocal laryngitis. Histological exam findings also varied, from minimal changes to moderate diffuse lymphocytic and heterophilic tracheitis to severe diffuse fibrinoheterophilic tracheitis. All but two cases had syncytial cells and eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies present in respiratory epithelium, a pathognomonic lesions of Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT). In birds that lacked these lesions an ILT PCR assay was run and confirmed infection. Infectious Laryngotracheitis is a reportable disease in New York, and these cases were reported to the state veterinarian. Since presentation of these birds, steps have been taken to minimize further spread and infection in the source flock. This case report will discuss diagnosis of ILT, risk factors for infection, and means of control.