Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
March 20, 2026Avian Diseases

In 10 flocks of broiler chickens with neurological signs, histopathology and PCR confirmed atypical Marek's disease with central nervous system involvement, primarily in unvaccinated birds.

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Population

10 flocks of broiler chickens aged 45-56 days presenting with neck paralysis, nervous tics, and torticollis

Design

Case_series

Key result

In 10 flocks of broiler chickens with neurological signs, histopathology and PCR confirmed atypical Marek's disease with central nervous system involvement, primarily in unvaccinated birds.

Authors

MPMatthieu PinsonMCManuela CrispoLBLilou BORTOT

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

Consider Marek's disease in CNS syndromes of unvaccinated broilers from 6 weeks; hypothesis-generating for atypical neuroinvasive presentations in commercial flocks.

Key Points

  • Investigate unusual neurological syndromes presenting with neck paralysis and torticollis in French commercial broiler flocks.
  • Evaluated 10 broiler chicken flocks in France (predominantly certified and unvaccinated, aged 45–56 days) presenting with neck paralysis, tremors, and torticollis between 2017 and 2019.
  • Conducted postmortem gross pathology, histopathology of central nervous system (CNS) and visceral tissues, and CD3+ T-cell immunohistochemistry.
  • Tested formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded brain specimens across all flocks using real-time PCR for Marek's disease virus detection.
  • Histopathologic analysis identified moderate-to-severe CD3+ T-lymphocytic infiltration within the CNS across all cases, accompanied by milder peripheral nerve and visceral involvement.
  • Real-time PCR detected Marek's disease virus DNA in brain tissue across 10 of 10 flocks (100%), with clinical disease occurring primarily in unvaccinated flocks (8 of 10).

Study Design

Type

Case Report (n=10)

Structured PICO

P
Population
10 flocks of broiler chickens (mostly unvaccinated, aged 45-56 days) presenting with central nervous system syndromes in France between 2017 and 2019.
E
Exposure
Necropsy, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and real-time PCR
O
Outcome
Detection of Marek's disease virus and characterization of central nervous system lesionssurrogate

Marek's disease can present as atypical central nervous system syndromes in commercial broiler chickens starting at six weeks of age, particularly in unvaccinated birds.

Cite This Study

Pinson et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Marek's disease (n=10). Marek's disease virus infection was evaluated on Histopathological and PCR confirmation of Marek's disease virus in the central nervous system. In 10 flocks of broiler chickens with neurological signs, histopathology and PCR confirmed atypical Marek's disease with central nervous system involvement, primarily in unvaccinated birds.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aac8afa4ebc45b777223669https://doi.org/10.1637/aviandiseases-d-25-00077
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share