Pathology of severe urolithiasis in a flock of egg-laying hens

Authors

  • Marcelo C. Lopes Sector of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Author
  • Clarissa S. Fonseca Sector of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Author
  • Camila I. Amaral Sector of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Author
  • Luis H. Saraiva Sector of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Author
  • Letícia B. Oliveira Sector of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Author
  • Dayse H. L. da Silva Sector of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Author
  • Matheus V. L. Moreira Sector of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Author
  • Fabrício J. M. da Silva Sector of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Author
  • Natalie K. Armour Poultry Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Pearl, Mississippi, United States Author
  • Roselene Ecco Sector of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24070/bjvp.1983-0246.v14i1p40-45

Keywords:

chickens, histopathology, layers, kidneys, uroliths

Abstract

Fourteen, 31-week-old Lohmann white layers from a flock of 30,000 chickens had a history of apathy, and a drop in egg
production. Clinical signs were observed in approximately 40% of the flock, and lasted for three months. Fourteen hens were
euthanized for post-mortem examinations. Macroscopic findings included marked atrophy and loss of renal lobes along with
compensatory renal hypertrophy of the contralateral lobe. Ureters were markedly dilated and filled with mucus and/or with molded
white to yellow-grey uroliths that obliterated the lumen. At histopathology, the uroliths inside ureters and tubules were composed
of concentrically arranged mineralized concretions, as well as urates associated with heterophilic infiltrations and epithelial
hyperplasia. Renal parenchyma adjacent to obstructed ureters was compressed with tubules replaced by fibrous tissue. Multifocal
interstitial lymphocytic nephritis, proteinuria and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis were also found. Heterophilic and
caseous ureteritis associated with numerous Gram-positive coccoid bacteria occurred in three chickens. Immunohistochemistry
for avian coronavirus was negative. This negative result along with the case history indicated that water restriction was the most
likely cause of mortality. This condition resulted in significant economic loss for this farmer.

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Published

2021-03-30

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Section

Artigos

How to Cite

Lopes, M. C., Fonseca, C. S., Amaral, C. I., Saraiva, L. H., Oliveira, L. B., Silva, D. H. L. da, Moreira, M. V. L., Silva, F. J. M. da, Armour, N. K., & Ecco, R. (2021). Pathology of severe urolithiasis in a flock of egg-laying hens. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Pathology, 14(1), 40-45. https://doi.org/10.24070/bjvp.1983-0246.v14i1p40-45