AVIAN COLIGRANULOMA: CASE HISTORIES
C. TRYLICH, J. HOWELL AND D. W. MAcDONALD* Introduction Coligranuloma in poultry was first described in Sweden by Hjarre and Wramby in 1945 (5). The disease is often referred to as Hjarre's disease and was recognized in Manitoba turkeys two years later by Schofield (10). Reporting seven years experience in Manitoba, Savage and Isa considered it to be an interesting but not alarming item in the realm of avian pathology (9). Trylich, on the other hand, reported on cases where the disease caused severe economic losses (12). Wickware in Ontario (13) and Hamilton and Conrad (3) in Washington indicated that the disease could reach serious proportions in some chicken flocks. Riddell's experience with the disease in Saskatchewan chicken flocks was that up to 50% of some flocks may be affected and that all cases occurred in small farm flocks kept on range and fed marginal rations (8). Hjarre and Wramby (5) isolated a mucoid strain of Escherichia coli from their cases and were able to reproduce the disease by intramuscular injection of cultures or ground tissues. Other workers (3, 10) failed or did not attempt (9, 12, 13) to reproduce the disease. Senior et al suspected an Actinomyces sp. to be the cause of a grossly similar granulomatous condition in Saskatchewan turkeys based on the pathological lesions but was not able to demonstrate the organism or reproduce the condition (11). Biely and March suggest a genetic susceptibility to Hjarre's disease because of the presence of granulomatous lesions in three generations of a strain of Leghorns and its absence in other strains on the same premises (1). The lack of information on this disease and its poorly defined pathogenesis is reflected in the few lines devoted to it in Diseases of Poultry (6). More recently, other organisms have been isolated from granuloma in turkey livers and a mechanism of infection has been postulated
..
FIGURE. 1. Lesions of coligranuloma in the liver
(top), spleen (centre left), heart (centre right) and caeca (bottom).
This paper describes outbreaks of coligranuloma in two turkey flocks and in one chicken flock which resulted in serious economic losses. Case Histories Table I summarizes the significant gross findings encountered in the two turkey and one chicken flocks. The granulomatous lesions in all three flocks were numerous. The gross and microscopic lesions were similar to those described by other authors (3, 5, 9, 10, 12) and will not be described here. There are
some differences in location which bear mentioning. In contrast to Hjaree and Wramby, lesions were found in many organs in all three flocks. In Flock No. 3, some chickens had masses of granulomas covering the mesenteries and even on serosal surfaces of the
(4, 7).
'Health of Animals Branch, Canada Department of Agriculture, Edmonton, Alberta (Trylich), retired, present address: 10644-75 Street, Edmonton, Alberta and Veterinary Services Division, Alberta Department of Agriculture, Edmonton, Alberta (Howell and MacDonald).
gizzard.
Some features of these disease outbreaks
are of interest. Flock No. 1 was raised on the same range as a previous flock a year earlier
38 CAN. VET. JOUR., VOI. 18, no. 2, February, 1977
. . .. .
AVIAN COLIGRANULOMA
SUMMARY
OF
TABLE I CASE HISTORIES OF COLIGRANULOMA
Total No. of No. of Livers Organs Birds Affected Birds Condemned Flock Species Involved Birds Condemned 1 5047 2559 (50.7%) Turkey L, C, I, M,S, H 33 2529 2 1608 510 (31.7%) Turkey L, C, I, S, H, PV 146 4 3 Chicken L, C, I, M, S, H, LU 300 300 (100%) 300 L - liver, C - cecum, I - intestine, M - mesentery, S - spleen, H - heart, PV - proventriculus, LU - lung. TABLE II which had experienced condemnations due to coligranuloma at slaughter. These birds apSUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ISOLATIONS peared to prefer drinking from a body of stagnant water containing much rotting vegetable Flock Species Organisms Isolated matter even though a source of clean water B hemolytic coliform 1 Turkey was available (2). Some birds in these flocks B hemolytic streptococci were well fleshed but others were moderately 2 Turkey Coliforms to poorly fleshed and feed conversion was 3 Chicken poor. Heavy losses from liver condemnation Coliforms and poor feed conversion were experienced for two years running. In Flock Nos. 1 and 2, males were affected roughly three times as Experimental Transmission E. coli cultures isolated from Flock Nos. 1 often as females and lesions were more severe. Flock No. 2 was quite well fleshed although and 3 were injected I.M. and I.V. into young chickens approximately four weeks of age. numerous birds were affected. In Flock No. 3, the organs from one chicken Injected chickens appeared to be normal. At were referred to the laboratory by the prac- necropsy three months later, no lesions were tising veterinarian. The owner usually killed found. these meat type birds for local sale but was advised to ship the flock to an evisceration Differential Diagnosis Coligranuloma must be differentiated from plant for inspection. Because of the high incidence, the severity of the lesions and the very tuberculosis and mycotic granuloma. A diagnosis of tuberculosis is based on the demonpoor fleshing all birds were condemned. stration of acid fast bacilli. Fungal organisms may be demonstrated by the use of PAS stain Bacteriology Lesions from all flocks were routinely cul- or other special fungal stains. A diagnosis of tured on blood agar and McConkey's agar. coligranuloma is made when neither acid fast The results are shown in Table II. The coli- bacilli nor mycotic elements can be demonform organisms were not typed and since at- strated in lesions with special stains. tempted transmission experiments with coliform organisms from Flock Nos. 1 and 3 Discussion The etiology and pathogenesis of coligranufailed, the significance, if any, of these isolaloma are unknown. Riddell considers this distions is questionable. ease to be most commonly seen in small barnyard flocks on marginal nutritional levels (8). Histopathology Lesions from all cases were embedded in This was not so in cases reported on by Biely paraffin, sectioned at six microns and stained and March (1). Flock No. 3 was a small farm with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E). Some flock. In one turkey flock (Flock No. 1), access sections from each flock were stained with to the body of stagnant water may be signifiPeriodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Ziel Nielsen cant. In later years, this water body was methods. The lesions were typical granu- fenced off and coligranuloma was not a lomas with the center comprised of pink problem. stained necrotic debris (H and E) surrounded by a zone of mixed macrophage, heterophil, Summary Coligranuloma is usually very sporadic, oclymphocytic population and finally by a fibrous capsule. No mycotic forms were seen in curring in only a few birds per flock. Occasionslides with PAS stain and no acid-fast organ- ally, this condition affects a large percentage isms were seen in Ziel Nielsen stained sections. of a flock. The incidence of this condition in
39
CANADIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL
two turkey flocks and one chicken flock is described. Resume Le coligranulome est ordinairement sporadique et n'affecte que quelques sujets d'un troupeau de volailles. II peut cependant en affecter parfois une proportion plus grande. Les auteurs decrivent l'incidence de cette condition telle qu'elle s'est presentee dans deux troupeaux de dindes et dans un troupeau de poulets. References 1. BIELY, J. and B. E. MARCH. Evidence of genetic susceptibility to Hjarre's disease. Avian Dis. 7: 1-5. 1963. 2. GALLIVAN, F. H. of A. (Retired). Personal communication. 3. HAMILTON, C. M. and R. D. CONRAD. Extreme mortality in Hjarre's disease (Coligranuloma) in chickens. J. Am. vet. med. Ass. 132: 84-85. 1958. 4. HERNANDEZ, J., E. D. ROBERTS, L. G. ADAMS and T. VERA. Pathogenesis of hepatic granulomas in turkeys infected with Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens. Avian Dis. 16: 201216. 1975.
5. HJARRE, A. and G. WRAMBY. Undersokningar over en med specifika granulom forlopande honssjukdom orsaked av mukoida Kolibacterier (Koli-granulom). Skan Veterinaertidskr 35: 449-507. 1945. 6. HOFSTAD, M. S., B. W. CALNECK, D. F. HELMBOLDT, W. M. REm and H. W. YODER, JR. Diseases of Poultry, 6th Edition, pp. 399-403. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press. 1972. 7. MOORE, W. E. C. and W. B. GROSS. Liver granulomas of turkeys-causative agent and mechanism of infection. Avian Dis. 12: 417422. 1968. 8. RIDDELL, C. Coligranuloma. Canada Poultryman 11: 33. 1972. 9. SAVAGE, A. and J. M. ISA. A note on Hjarre's disease in Manitoba. Cornell Vet. 46: 379-381. 1956. 10. SCHOFIELD, F. W. Hjarre and Wramby disease in turkeys (Coligranuloma). Can. J. comp. Med. 11: 141-143. 1947. 11. SENIOR, V. E., R. LAKE and C. PRATT. Suspected actinomycosis of turkeys. Can. vet. J. 3: 120-125. 1962. 12. TRYLICH, C. Coligranuloma (Hjarre's disease) in turkeys. Can. vet. J. 7: 40-42. 1966. 13. WICKWARE, A. B. Infectious granuloma of fowls - A preliminary note. Can. J. comp. Med. 12: 294-296. 1948.
BOOK REVIEW Ophthalmic Pathology of Animals. L. Z. Saun- able. The final section is on technique and is an ders and L. F. Rubin. Published by S. expansion of material that the authors have Karger AG, Basel, Switzerland. 1975. 258 presented elsewhere including volume 1 of pages. Price $68.00. this journal. The material is arranged anatomically from This is an excellent reference book and cornea, uvea, lens, vitreous, retina, nerve, eye atlas for those interested in ophthalmology. It as whole and adnexa. There is also a section on serves its purpose of drawing together informa- neoplasms. In each anatomic area the specific tion widely scattered through the literature. entities are arranged as malformations, degenThe historical tidbits scattered in appropriate erations and inflammations but examples for areas as well as the initial section entitled these three types of lesions are not given for "history of veterinary ophthalmic pathology" all anatomic areas. Most types of animals are add an overview of history not easily obtain- included ranging from fish to laboratory aniable elsewhere. Some might think that veteri- mals and those seen in large and small animal nary ophthalmology is a new field or specialty practice. but one only has to read the brief accounts The descriptions are very brief in some cases presented to realize that veterinary ophthal- so that anyone looking for depth in any one mology was prominent many years ago. We particular subject will have to go elsewhere are now only seeing it spread and, so to speak, although this atlas is an excellent place to become fashionable again. start. As an introduction to many different The format is that of a brief description of areas and an overview of pathological entities an entity with a few references and some this book is excellent and is recommended for photographic illustrations. Every second page pathologists, students and those practitioners is a group of photographs. One somewhat con- with an interest in ophthalmology. The profusing aspect is moving some references to the fusion of pictures is very helpful to those page following the plate where space is avail- beginning in this area of study. T. W. Dukes. 40
C. TRYLICH, J. HOWELL AND D. W. MAcDONALD* Introduction Coligranuloma in poultry was first described in Sweden by Hjarre and Wramby in 1945 (5). The disease is often referred to as Hjarre's disease and was recognized in Manitoba turkeys two years later by Schofield (10). Reporting seven years experience in Manitoba, Savage and Isa considered it to be an interesting but not alarming item in the realm of avian pathology (9). Trylich, on the other hand, reported on cases where the disease caused severe economic losses (12). Wickware in Ontario (13) and Hamilton and Conrad (3) in Washington indicated that the disease could reach serious proportions in some chicken flocks. Riddell's experience with the disease in Saskatchewan chicken flocks was that up to 50% of some flocks may be affected and that all cases occurred in small farm flocks kept on range and fed marginal rations (8). Hjarre and Wramby (5) isolated a mucoid strain of Escherichia coli from their cases and were able to reproduce the disease by intramuscular injection of cultures or ground tissues. Other workers (3, 10) failed or did not attempt (9, 12, 13) to reproduce the disease. Senior et al suspected an Actinomyces sp. to be the cause of a grossly similar granulomatous condition in Saskatchewan turkeys based on the pathological lesions but was not able to demonstrate the organism or reproduce the condition (11). Biely and March suggest a genetic susceptibility to Hjarre's disease because of the presence of granulomatous lesions in three generations of a strain of Leghorns and its absence in other strains on the same premises (1). The lack of information on this disease and its poorly defined pathogenesis is reflected in the few lines devoted to it in Diseases of Poultry (6). More recently, other organisms have been isolated from granuloma in turkey livers and a mechanism of infection has been postulated
..
FIGURE. 1. Lesions of coligranuloma in the liver
(top), spleen (centre left), heart (centre right) and caeca (bottom).
This paper describes outbreaks of coligranuloma in two turkey flocks and in one chicken flock which resulted in serious economic losses. Case Histories Table I summarizes the significant gross findings encountered in the two turkey and one chicken flocks. The granulomatous lesions in all three flocks were numerous. The gross and microscopic lesions were similar to those described by other authors (3, 5, 9, 10, 12) and will not be described here. There are
some differences in location which bear mentioning. In contrast to Hjaree and Wramby, lesions were found in many organs in all three flocks. In Flock No. 3, some chickens had masses of granulomas covering the mesenteries and even on serosal surfaces of the
(4, 7).
'Health of Animals Branch, Canada Department of Agriculture, Edmonton, Alberta (Trylich), retired, present address: 10644-75 Street, Edmonton, Alberta and Veterinary Services Division, Alberta Department of Agriculture, Edmonton, Alberta (Howell and MacDonald).
gizzard.
Some features of these disease outbreaks
are of interest. Flock No. 1 was raised on the same range as a previous flock a year earlier
38 CAN. VET. JOUR., VOI. 18, no. 2, February, 1977
. . .. .
AVIAN COLIGRANULOMA
SUMMARY
OF
TABLE I CASE HISTORIES OF COLIGRANULOMA
Total No. of No. of Livers Organs Birds Affected Birds Condemned Flock Species Involved Birds Condemned 1 5047 2559 (50.7%) Turkey L, C, I, M,S, H 33 2529 2 1608 510 (31.7%) Turkey L, C, I, S, H, PV 146 4 3 Chicken L, C, I, M, S, H, LU 300 300 (100%) 300 L - liver, C - cecum, I - intestine, M - mesentery, S - spleen, H - heart, PV - proventriculus, LU - lung. TABLE II which had experienced condemnations due to coligranuloma at slaughter. These birds apSUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ISOLATIONS peared to prefer drinking from a body of stagnant water containing much rotting vegetable Flock Species Organisms Isolated matter even though a source of clean water B hemolytic coliform 1 Turkey was available (2). Some birds in these flocks B hemolytic streptococci were well fleshed but others were moderately 2 Turkey Coliforms to poorly fleshed and feed conversion was 3 Chicken poor. Heavy losses from liver condemnation Coliforms and poor feed conversion were experienced for two years running. In Flock Nos. 1 and 2, males were affected roughly three times as Experimental Transmission E. coli cultures isolated from Flock Nos. 1 often as females and lesions were more severe. Flock No. 2 was quite well fleshed although and 3 were injected I.M. and I.V. into young chickens approximately four weeks of age. numerous birds were affected. In Flock No. 3, the organs from one chicken Injected chickens appeared to be normal. At were referred to the laboratory by the prac- necropsy three months later, no lesions were tising veterinarian. The owner usually killed found. these meat type birds for local sale but was advised to ship the flock to an evisceration Differential Diagnosis Coligranuloma must be differentiated from plant for inspection. Because of the high incidence, the severity of the lesions and the very tuberculosis and mycotic granuloma. A diagnosis of tuberculosis is based on the demonpoor fleshing all birds were condemned. stration of acid fast bacilli. Fungal organisms may be demonstrated by the use of PAS stain Bacteriology Lesions from all flocks were routinely cul- or other special fungal stains. A diagnosis of tured on blood agar and McConkey's agar. coligranuloma is made when neither acid fast The results are shown in Table II. The coli- bacilli nor mycotic elements can be demonform organisms were not typed and since at- strated in lesions with special stains. tempted transmission experiments with coliform organisms from Flock Nos. 1 and 3 Discussion The etiology and pathogenesis of coligranufailed, the significance, if any, of these isolaloma are unknown. Riddell considers this distions is questionable. ease to be most commonly seen in small barnyard flocks on marginal nutritional levels (8). Histopathology Lesions from all cases were embedded in This was not so in cases reported on by Biely paraffin, sectioned at six microns and stained and March (1). Flock No. 3 was a small farm with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E). Some flock. In one turkey flock (Flock No. 1), access sections from each flock were stained with to the body of stagnant water may be signifiPeriodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Ziel Nielsen cant. In later years, this water body was methods. The lesions were typical granu- fenced off and coligranuloma was not a lomas with the center comprised of pink problem. stained necrotic debris (H and E) surrounded by a zone of mixed macrophage, heterophil, Summary Coligranuloma is usually very sporadic, oclymphocytic population and finally by a fibrous capsule. No mycotic forms were seen in curring in only a few birds per flock. Occasionslides with PAS stain and no acid-fast organ- ally, this condition affects a large percentage isms were seen in Ziel Nielsen stained sections. of a flock. The incidence of this condition in
39
CANADIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL
two turkey flocks and one chicken flock is described. Resume Le coligranulome est ordinairement sporadique et n'affecte que quelques sujets d'un troupeau de volailles. II peut cependant en affecter parfois une proportion plus grande. Les auteurs decrivent l'incidence de cette condition telle qu'elle s'est presentee dans deux troupeaux de dindes et dans un troupeau de poulets. References 1. BIELY, J. and B. E. MARCH. Evidence of genetic susceptibility to Hjarre's disease. Avian Dis. 7: 1-5. 1963. 2. GALLIVAN, F. H. of A. (Retired). Personal communication. 3. HAMILTON, C. M. and R. D. CONRAD. Extreme mortality in Hjarre's disease (Coligranuloma) in chickens. J. Am. vet. med. Ass. 132: 84-85. 1958. 4. HERNANDEZ, J., E. D. ROBERTS, L. G. ADAMS and T. VERA. Pathogenesis of hepatic granulomas in turkeys infected with Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens. Avian Dis. 16: 201216. 1975.
5. HJARRE, A. and G. WRAMBY. Undersokningar over en med specifika granulom forlopande honssjukdom orsaked av mukoida Kolibacterier (Koli-granulom). Skan Veterinaertidskr 35: 449-507. 1945. 6. HOFSTAD, M. S., B. W. CALNECK, D. F. HELMBOLDT, W. M. REm and H. W. YODER, JR. Diseases of Poultry, 6th Edition, pp. 399-403. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press. 1972. 7. MOORE, W. E. C. and W. B. GROSS. Liver granulomas of turkeys-causative agent and mechanism of infection. Avian Dis. 12: 417422. 1968. 8. RIDDELL, C. Coligranuloma. Canada Poultryman 11: 33. 1972. 9. SAVAGE, A. and J. M. ISA. A note on Hjarre's disease in Manitoba. Cornell Vet. 46: 379-381. 1956. 10. SCHOFIELD, F. W. Hjarre and Wramby disease in turkeys (Coligranuloma). Can. J. comp. Med. 11: 141-143. 1947. 11. SENIOR, V. E., R. LAKE and C. PRATT. Suspected actinomycosis of turkeys. Can. vet. J. 3: 120-125. 1962. 12. TRYLICH, C. Coligranuloma (Hjarre's disease) in turkeys. Can. vet. J. 7: 40-42. 1966. 13. WICKWARE, A. B. Infectious granuloma of fowls - A preliminary note. Can. J. comp. Med. 12: 294-296. 1948.
BOOK REVIEW Ophthalmic Pathology of Animals. L. Z. Saun- able. The final section is on technique and is an ders and L. F. Rubin. Published by S. expansion of material that the authors have Karger AG, Basel, Switzerland. 1975. 258 presented elsewhere including volume 1 of pages. Price $68.00. this journal. The material is arranged anatomically from This is an excellent reference book and cornea, uvea, lens, vitreous, retina, nerve, eye atlas for those interested in ophthalmology. It as whole and adnexa. There is also a section on serves its purpose of drawing together informa- neoplasms. In each anatomic area the specific tion widely scattered through the literature. entities are arranged as malformations, degenThe historical tidbits scattered in appropriate erations and inflammations but examples for areas as well as the initial section entitled these three types of lesions are not given for "history of veterinary ophthalmic pathology" all anatomic areas. Most types of animals are add an overview of history not easily obtain- included ranging from fish to laboratory aniable elsewhere. Some might think that veteri- mals and those seen in large and small animal nary ophthalmology is a new field or specialty practice. but one only has to read the brief accounts The descriptions are very brief in some cases presented to realize that veterinary ophthal- so that anyone looking for depth in any one mology was prominent many years ago. We particular subject will have to go elsewhere are now only seeing it spread and, so to speak, although this atlas is an excellent place to become fashionable again. start. As an introduction to many different The format is that of a brief description of areas and an overview of pathological entities an entity with a few references and some this book is excellent and is recommended for photographic illustrations. Every second page pathologists, students and those practitioners is a group of photographs. One somewhat con- with an interest in ophthalmology. The profusing aspect is moving some references to the fusion of pictures is very helpful to those page following the plate where space is avail- beginning in this area of study. T. W. Dukes. 40
