HISTOPATHOLOGICAL LESIONS IN PASTEURELLOSIS IN AN EMU
(Dromaius novaehollandiae )
-A CASE REPORT
Short title: PASTEURELLOSIS IN AN EMU
1*
Anitha Ram and2Mammen J. Abraham
1
M.V.Sc. Scholar, 2Associate Professor, Department of Pathology,
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala-680651.
*Corresponding author
Anitha Ram
Vrindavan, Thekkemuri,
East kallada, Kollam-691502
Email id:dranithasaneesh@gmail.com
Phone no: 09946920919
ABSTRACT
Ten months old female emu maintained in a private farm exhibited anorexia, lethargy and
greenish watery mucoid diarrhea on autopsy revealed multifocal petechiae throughout the viscera
and pin head sized necrotic foci were found scattered throughout the liver. The case was
diagnosed as avian pasteurellosis based upon the histopathological examination which revealed
haemorrhages in various organs and the liver with multifocal areas of coagulation necrosis and
haemorrhages. Also examination of heart blood smear and impression smear of liver revealed
innumerable bipolar staining organisms.
Key words: Pasteurellosis, emu, petechiae
Emu is an emerging commercial species in our country1. But information about the
diseases affecting emus is scanty1. There are reports on tuberculosis2 and aspergillosis among
emus1,3. Though there are reports of pasteurellosis in domestic avian species3, there is paucity of
information regarding its occurrence in emus in Kerala. Pasteurellosis caused by pasteurella
multocida results in widely distributed petechiae and ecchymotic haemorrhages in visceral
organs4. So the present communication is to place on record an incidence of fowl cholera in an
emu(Dromaius novaehollandiae) in Kerala.
A ten months old female emu located in a private farm at Edapally, Ernakulam showing
anorexia, lethargy, ruffled feathers, nasal mucus discharge and greenish watery mucoid diarrhoea
was found dead in its pen seven days later. The case was referred to Center of Excellence in
Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. A detailed post-mortem
examination was conducted the lesions were recorded.
Autopsy revealed multifocal hemorrhages ranging from petechiae to ecchymosis
throughout the viscera4.Heart showed subepicardial and endocardial haemorrhages4. Diffuse
hemorrhages were also observed in the mucosa at proventricular-gizzard junction, small
intestines, lungs, kidney and pancreas4. Circumscribed pin head sized necrotic foci were found
scattered throughout the liver4. For histopathological examination representative tissue samples
collected in 10 per cent formalin were routinely processed and the sections prepared were stained
with Lillie Mayers Hematoxylin and Eosin.
Microscopical examination of the heart revealed separation, fragmentation and
degeneration of fibers with extensive inter-muscular haemorrhages4. Lungs showed
haemorrhages and liver exhibited multifocal areas of coagulation necrosis and haemorrhages4.
Intestinal mucosa unveiled fusion of the intestinal villi, goblet cell hyperplasia, haemorrhages
and necrosis of sub mucosal glands. Mucosa of proventricular gizzard junction also showed
haemorrhages.
Innumerable bipolar staining organisms were detected in heart blood smear and
impression smear of liver4. Based upon the gross lesions, histopathological features and smear
examination the case was diagnosed as avian pasteurellosis.
In the present case the lesions of pasteurellosis are similar to those in other species as
reported earlier4. The section revealed haemorrhages throughout the viscera and multifocal
coagulation necrosis and haemorrhages in the liver which agree with former records4.
REFERENCES
1. Anjaneyulu Y, Jaganmohan A, Kiran S, Toshniwal J and Rajkamal SS. Aspergillosis
in an emu chick. 2006. Indian.J.Vet.Pathol.30 :57.
2. Shane SM, Camus A, Strain MG, Thoen CO and Tully TN. Tuberculosis in
commercial Emus (Dromaiusnovaehollandiae). 1993. Avian Diseases. 37: 1172-1176.
3. Balachandran C,Pazhanivel N and Gnanaraj PT. Aspergillosis in emu. 2011.
Indian.Vet.J.88 :143-145.
4. Saif YM. 2003. Diseases of poultry. 11th ed. Lowa state press. p. 657-682.