Image Challenge Answers

Veterinary Pathology
2020, Vol. 57(4) 591-592
Image Challenge in Veterinary Pathology, ª The Author(s) 2020
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Answers: Avian Diseases DOI: 10.1177/0300985820911457
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Image 1.
D. Avian leukosis virus
Myelocytomas are typically caused by avian leukosis virus subgroup J
but infrequently occur spontaneously. Myelocytomas are character-
ized by proliferation of granulocytic myelocytes, with abundant intra-
cytoplasmic eosinophilic granules and round, nonlobulated nuclei (Fig.
1). Avian leukosis virus is a retrovirus that can cause both lymphoid
tumors and nonlymphoid tumors in poultry, including myelocytomas,
hemangiomas, and nephroblastomas. Osteopetrosis is an additional,
nonneoplastic lesion caused by avian leukosis virus. Gallid alphaher-
pesvirus 2 and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) can cause lymphoid
tumors in chickens but do not induce nonlymphoid tumors. REV and
lymphoproliferative disease virus have been associated with multi-
centric round cell neoplasms in wild turkeys.
Reference: Ojkic D, Brash ML, Jackwood MW, Shivaprasad HL. Viral
diseases. In: Boulianne M, ed. Avian Disease Manual. 7th ed. Jacksonville,
FL: American Association of Avian Pathologists; 2013:6–73.
Contributor: Abigail Armwood, University of Georgia

Image 2.
D. Knemidocoptes mutans
Scaly thickening of the unfeathered skin of legs and feet is caused by
the mite Knemidocoptes mutans, also called scaly-leg mite. In severe
cases, the skin becomes very scaly and may discolor white. Skin scrap-
ings of the thickened skin may demonstrate the mite, which allows for
the definitive diagnosis. Histopathology shows varying degrees of
hyperkeratosis with intracorneal sections or fragments of arthropods
(Fig. 2). Mite excreta appears as black debris within the keratin. Several
sections may need to be examined to find the mites.
Reference: Abdul-Aziz T, Barnes HJ. Scaly leg mites. In: Abdul-Aziz T,
Fletcher JF, and Barnes HJ eds. Gross Pathology of Avian Diseases: Text
and Atlas. American Association of Avian Pathologists: Jackonville, FL;
2018:196.
Contributor: Tahseen Abdul-Aziz, Rollins Animal Disease Diagnostic
Laboratory, North Carolina
592 Veterinary Pathology 57(4)

Image 3.
A. Fowlpox virus
This chicken had proliferative laryngotracheitis caused by fowlpox
virus (diphtheritic or wet form of fowlpox). Histopathology revealed
marked epithelial hyperplasia with ballooning degeneration and eosi-
nophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (Bollinger bodies) in the
larynx and trachea (Fig. 3). Gallid alphaherpesvirus 1 causes infectious
laryngotracheitis (ILT) with identical gross lesions and must be differ-
entiated by histopathology (syncytial cells with intranuclear inclusions
in ILT). Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 causes immunosuppression and lym-
phoproliferative disease in chickens (Marek’s disease). Mycoplasma
gallisepticum causes chronic respiratory disease with polyserositis in
chickens and infectious sinusitis in turkeys. Avibacterium paragallinarum
causes infectious coryza, a disease of chickens characterized by swol-
len sinuses and facial edema.
Contributor: Dr. Monique França, Poultry Diagnostic and Research
Center, University of Georgia
Reference: Tripathy DN. Pox. In: Swayne DE, Glisson J, McDougald
LR, et al, eds. Diseases of Poultry. 13th ed. Ames, IA: Wiley-Blackwell;
2013:333–349.

Image 4.
C. Tetrameres americana
Tetrameres spp. are spirurid parasites that reside in the proventriculus
of many domestic and wild avian species, including passerine, gallinac-
eous, and aquatic birds. Female worms burrow within proventricular
glands, forming characteristic dark red nodules that are visible from
the serosal surface. Males are smaller, are more elongate, and reside in
crypts and in the proventricular lumen. Histologically, these parasites
can be identified by the brightly eosinophilic pseudocoelomic fluid and
spirurid eggs (Fig. 4). Contracaecum spp. nematodes can also be in the
proventriculus but infect piscivorous birds. Capillaria annulata are small
threadworms in the crop and esophagus, and Raillietina tetragona are
intestinal tapeworms.
Reference: McDougald L. Internal parasites. In: Swayne DE, ed. Dis-
eases of Poultry. 13th ed. Ames, IA: John Wiley; 2013:1131–1132.
Contributor: Erin Edwards, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic
Laboratory
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