Malabsorption

syndrome in
young pullets
Dr.Kedar Karki
 Background
• Malabsorption syndrome (MAS),
especially in broilers, has been
reported in several countries. It
causes significant losses to the
industry due to the retardation of
growth in birds. MAS becoming a
major problem in the young
replacement pullets since it is
associated with heavy mortality and
poor response to the treatment.
• Malabsorption Syndrome (MAS) is
basically an infectious disease that
affects the intestinal tract of young
fast growing broilers. It is
characterised by retarded growth,
feathering abnormality, immuno-
depression and high mortality with
lesions in bursa, thymus and
proventriculus.
• The affected flocks display serious
growth retardation by day 10 or even
younger and at the end of the grow-out,
many small birds are easily noticed.
A 5-week old pullet suffering from MAS
showing retarded
growth, poor feathering and extreme
weakness .
A 5-week old MAS pullet
with
pasty vents and posture.
A 9-week old layer pullet
showing leg weakness.
• Until now, the precise causative agent
for MAS could not be ascertained.
• However, through various studies, it has
been proven that the following agents
are involved:
• 1. Reoviruses, calciviruses, entero like
viruses, parvovirus and corona virus like
particles and toga like viruses. These
viruses have been demonstrated in
intestinal contents or enterocytes
isolated from birds with MAS,
• 2. Mycotoxins such as fusarium,
• 3. High stocking density and poor
hygiene.
 Lesions
• Lesions MAS birds show a pale
carcass and shanks, wasted breast
muscles, the thymus and bursa small
in size and the proventriculus
enlarged.
• The walls of the proventriculus are
thickened and the lining shows areas
of inflammation and haemorrhages
around the opening of the mucus
glands
• Inflammation of gut with liquid orange
mucus faeces containing residuals of
badly digested feed.
• intestines filled with watery to mucoid
contents.
• The bursa exhibits atrophy of follicles.
 An enlarged isthumus (junction)
between the gizzard and proventriculus
of a 9-week old layer pullet.
9-week old layer pullet
suffering
from MAS.
Airsacculitis
perihepatitis is frequently
observed
in birds with CRD
Typical facial edema
Gross lesions
of the lungs