The Effect of Spirulina as Feed Additive to Myocardial Necrosis and Leukocyte of Chicken with Avian Influenza (H5N1) Virus Infection

The aim of this research was to examine the effect of Spirulina sp. as feed additive to myocardial necrosis and leukocytes which were infected by Avian Influenza H5N1 virus. This research comprised three level treatment of Spirulina 0%, 10%, 20% of the fresh water algae as a liquid supplement, each of which consisted of seven replicates given to 7 day to 32 day old broiler chicken. Artificial infection of Avian Influenza virus H5N1 by entering the respiratory tract (nose drops) using a dose of 0.1 ml inoculum. Blood samples were collected from brachialis vein 0.5–1 ml to calculate leukocyte cell. Heart tissue of chicken were taken to histopathologic and immunohistochemistry examination. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in myocardial necrosis and significant difference (p<0.05) in leukocyte in the treatment of Spirulina sp. The result indicates that Spirulina sp.can be used as feed additive to increase immunity in broiler chicken.