Marek's disease

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Marek's disease

Virus classification
Group: Group I (dsDNA)
Family: Herpesviridae
Genus: Mardivirus
Species: Gallid herpesvirus
2 (GaHV-2)

Marek's disease is a highly contagious viral neoplastic disease in chickens. Occasionally

misdiagnosed as an abtissue pathology it is caused by an alphaherpesvirus known as
Marek's disease virus (MDV) or gallid herpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2). The disease is
characterized by presence of T cell lymphoma as well as infiltration of nerves and organs
by lymphocytes.[1] Viruses related to MDV appear to be benign and can be used as
vaccine strains to prevent Marek's disease. For example, the related Herpesvirus of
Turkeys (HVT), causes no apparent disease in turkeys and continues to be used as a
vaccine strain for prevention of Marek's disease (see below). Birds infected with GaHV-2
can be carriers and shedders of the virus for life. Newborn chicks are protected by
maternal antibodies for a few weeks. After infection, microscopic lesions are present after
one to two weeks, and gross lesions are present after three to four weeks. The virus is
spread in dander from feather follicles and transmitted by inhalation.[2]

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Syndromes
• 2 Diagnosis
• 3 Prevention
• 4 Eponym

• 5 References

[edit] Syndromes
Left - normal chicken eye. Right - Eye of a chicken with Marek's disease

There are five syndromes known to occur after infection with Marek's disease. These
syndromes may overlap.

• Classical Marek's disease or neurolymphomatosis causes asymmetric paralysis

of one or more limbs. With vagus nerve involvement, difficulty breathing or
dilation of the crop may occur. Besides lesions in the peripheral nerves, there are
frequently lymphomatous infiltration/tumours in the skin, skeletal muscle,
visceral organs. Organs that are commonly affected include the ovary, spleen,
liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, proventriculus and adrenals.
• Acute Marek's disease is an epidemic in a previously uninfected or unvaccinated
flock, causing depression, paralysis, and death in a large number of birds (up to
80 percent). The age of onset is much earlier than the classic form, birds are four
to eight weeks old when affected. Infiltration into multiple organs/tissue is
observed.
• Ocular lymphomatosis causes lymphocyte infiltration of the iris (making the iris
turn grey), anisocoria, and blindness.
• Cutaneous Marek's disease causes round, firm lesions at the feather follicles.[2]
• Atherosclerosis is induced in experimentally infected chickens. [3]
• Immunosuppression Imparement of the T-lymphocytes prevent competent
immunological response against pathogenic challenge and the affected birds
become more succeptible to disease conditions such as coccidiosis and
"Escherichia coli" infection [4]. Furthermore, without stimulation by cell-mediated
immunity, the humoral immunity conferred by the B-cell lines from the Bursa of
 Fabricius also shuts down. Thus resulting in birds that are totally
immunocompromised.

[edit] Diagnosis
The demonstration of nerve enlargement, especially with the ischiatic nerve along with
suggestive clinical signs in a bird that is around three to four months old is highly
suggestive of Marek's Disease. The presence of nodules on the internal organs may also
suggest Marek's disease but further testing is required for confirmation. This is done
through histological demonstration of lymphomatous infiltration into the affected tissue.
A range of leukocytes can be involved, including lyphocytic cell lines such as large
lymphocyte, lymphoblast, primitive reticular cells and occasional plasma cells as well as
macrophage and plasma cells. The T-cells are involved in the malignancy, showing
neoplastic changes with evidence of mitosis.

The lymphomatous infiltrates need to be differentiated with another condition that affects
poultry known as Lymphoid Leukosis as well as an inflammatory event associated with
hyperplastic changes of the affected tissue.

[edit] Prevention
Vaccination is the only known method to prevent the development of tumors when
chickens are infected with the virus. However, administration of vaccine does not prevent
transmission of the virus; i.e., the vaccine is non-sterilizing.[1] However, it does reduce the
amount of virus shed in the dander and hence reduce horizontal spread of the disease.
Marek's Disease does not spread vertically. The vaccine was introduced in 1970. Before
that, Marek's disease caused substantial revenue loss in the poultry industries of the
United States and the United Kingdom. The vaccine can be administered to one day old
chicks through sub-cutaneous inoculation or by in-ovo vaccination when the eggs are
transferred from the incubator to the hatcher. In-ovo vaccination is the preferred method,
as in does not require handling of the chicks and can be done rapidly by automated
methods. Immunity develops within two weeks.[2]

The vaccine originally contained the antigenically similar turkey herpesvirus, which is
serotype 3 of MDV.[5] However, because vaccination does not prevent infection with the
virus, [6] the Marek's Disease virus has evolved increased virulence and resistance to this
vaccine. As a result, current vaccines use a combination of vaccines consisting of HVT
and gallid herpesvirus type 3 or an attenuated MDV strain, CVI988-Rispens. [7]

[edit] Eponym
The disease is named after Dr. Jozef Marek.

Marek's Disease
Clinical Signs
Diagnosis
Similar Disease
Methods of Spread
Treatment
Prevention
Further Information

Marek’s disease (MD or fowl paralysis) is a very common disease of chickens caused
by a herpes virus. Marek’s disease affects both commercial and backyard poultry and
may result in death or severe production loss. The disease causes changes in many
of the nerves and may cause tumours in major internal organs.

Chickens are the main species affected. The disease occurs rarely in some other
types of birds.

Clinical Signs
Young birds are most susceptible to infection. Most deaths from Marek’s disease
occur between 8 and 20 weeks of age, although in some cases the disease may be
seen in birds as young as 3-4 weeks of age or as old as one year of age.

Typically, Marek’s disease occurs as the nervous form, appearing as a progressive

paralysis of one or more of the limbs or, less often, the neck or wings. The sciatic
nerve (the main nerve to the leg) is commonly affected The birds are unable to
stand, become paralysed, appear uncoordinated and slowly waste away from lack of
food and water. In most cases the paralysis comes on quickly. In some cases the
eyes may be affected, resulting in blindness.

In the visceral form, Marek’s disease occurs as tumours in internal organs,

including the ovaries, liver, spleen, kidney and heart. Sometimes the liver and spleen
are swollen without distinct tumours being present. Birds may show signs of
depression, paralysis, loss of appetite, loss of weight, anaemia (pale combs),
dehydration (shrunken combs), and sometimes diarrhoea. Some birds die without
any clinical signs being noticed.

Most birds that develop Marek’s disease usually die.

Diagnosis
Veterinary examination is necessary to diagnose Marek’s disease. The clinical signs,
combined with post-mortem findings, will confirm the diagnosis in most cases, and,
most importantly, rule-out other diseases. Enlargement of nerves such as the sciatic
nerve are commonly seen at post-mortem. Changes in one or more internal organs
may also be observed.

Similar Disease
A different viral disease known as lymphoid leucosis also causes tumours in organs,
but does not cause paralysis. It is usually seen in birds over 16 weeks of age,
whereas Marek’s disease is commonly seen in younger chickens.
Methods of Spread
Marek’s disease virus occurs commonly wherever chickens are raised and most
chickens probably become infected. The virus is highly infectious and once
introduced into a flock, it spreads rapidly to unvaccinated birds.

Infected chickens carry the virus for life whether they develop the disease or not,
and continue to shed the virus for long periods. The virus is shed from the feather
follicles and spreads readily in fluff and dust, gaining entry when the bird breathes
infected dust particles. This material can also be carried by people and equipment.

The virus can survive in the environment for as long as several months at room
temperature. It is not spread from the hen to the chicken through the egg.

Treatment
There is no treatment for Marek’s disease.

Diseased birds should be promptly removed from the flock and humanely destroyed.
Other birds in the flock are likely to be infected at this stage also, so close monitoring
of all birds is important.

Prevention
Although vaccines are commonly used in the commercial poultry industry, small
numbers of doses cannot be purchased for use in backyard flocks.

For backyard flocks, the best protection against Marek’s disease is obtained by
buying, from a commercial source, birds that have been correctly vaccinated.

Vaccination alone will not prevent Marek's disease. Particularly for commercial flocks,
it is important to have good biosecurity to ensure that vaccinated chicks will
develop immunity before they are subjected to a severe challenge of virus. For
example, chicks need to be reared separately so that they are free from the infected
fluff and dust of older birds. Standard hygiene measures are also important,
including a thorough clean-out and disinfection of sheds and equipment between
batches of chicks with a disinfectant effective against viruses. Good nutrition and
maintenance of freedom from other diseases and parasites are also very important.
These practices will help maintain the flock’s health and to ensure that the birds have
optimum resistance against Marek’s disease infection.

For general advice on biosecurity, see the biosecurity checklist for bird keepers.

The breeding of genetically resistant strains of chickens, combined with the use of
vaccination and good hygiene, can also be used to help control Marek’s disease.

For flocks with a serious Marek’s disease problem, the only solution is to depopulate,
clean and disinfect all sheds and equipment, and spell for several months. Vaccinated
chicks from a reputable hatchery would then need to be sought as replacements

Marek's disease
Introduction

Marek's disease is a Herpes virus infection of chickens, and rarely turkeys in

close association with chickens, seen worldwide. From the 1980s and 1990s
highly virulent strains have become a problem in North America and Europe.

The disease has various manifestations: a) Neurological - Acute infiltration of the

CNS and nerves resulting in 'floppy broiler syndrome' and transient paralysis, as
well as more long-standing paralysis of legs or wings and eye lesions; b) Visceral
- Tumours in heart, ovary, tests, muscles, lungs; c) Cutaneous - Tumours of
feather follicles.

Morbidity is 10-50% and mortality up to 100%. Mortality in an affected flock

typically continues at a moderate or high rate for quite a few weeks. In 'late'
Marek's the mortality can extend to 40 weeks of age. Affected birds are more
susceptible to other diseases, both parasitic and bacterial.

The route of infection is usually respiratory and the disease is highly contagious
being spread by infective feather-follicle dander, fomites, etc. Infected birds
remain viraemic for life. Vertical transmission is not considered to be important.

The virus survives at ambient temperature for a long time (65 weeks) when cell
associated and is resistant to some disinfectants (quaternary ammonium and
phenol). It is inactivated rapidly when frozen and thawed.

Signs

• Paralysis of legs, wings and neck.

• Loss of weight.
• Grey iris or irregular pupil.
• Vision impairment.
• Skin around feather follicles raised and roughened.

Post-mortem lesions

• Grey-white foci of neoplastic tissue in liver, spleen, kidney, lung, gonads,

heart, and skeletal muscle.
• Thickening of nerve trunks and loss of striation.
• Microscopically - lymphoid infiltration is polymorphic.

Diagnosis

History, clinical signs, distribution of lesions, age affected, histopathology.

Differentiate from Lymphoid leukosis, botulism, deficiency of thiamine, deficiency
of Ca/Phosphorus/Vitamin D, especially at the start of lay.
Treatment

None.

Prevention

Hygiene, all-in/all-out production, resistant strains, vaccination generally with

1500 PFU of HVT at day old (but increasingly by in-ovo application at transfer),
association with other strains (SB1 Sero-type 2) and Rispen's.

It is common practice to use combinations of the different vaccine types in an

effort to broaden the protection achieved. Genetics can help by increasing the
frequency of the B21 gene that confers increased resistance to Marek's disease
challenge.

Marek's Disease in Chickens

In an economic loss, Marek's disease is a most important malady of chickens. It often causes severe dea
loss in pullet flocks and has been a major cause of condemnations at the broiler processing plant. Gener
chickens under 16 weeks of age are most often affected.

Cause

Caused by a herpesvirus, the disease is often characterized by abnormal cell growth in the peripheral ne
and central nervous system. Hence, the common name for one form of Marek's: fowl paralysis. In additi
the nerves, however, the disease also may cause lesions on visceral organs and other tissues, including
feather follicles of the skin. The most prominent lesions may be tumors on the liver, kidneys, testes, ova
spleen and lungs. In such cases, nerve swelling may not be involved.

How Marek's Disease is Spread

Chicken "dander" from feather follicles spreads the disease. The virus also is excreted in the saliva, and
virus probably enters the body through the respiratory system. Transmission via the egg is not significan

Signs
Some chickens die without any clinical signs of Marek's disease. Most of the affected birds will have som
degree of paralysis, although chickens with the acute form may not show this condition. Those with para
may die because they are unable to reach feed and water. The first indication of infection is a variation i
growth rate and degree of feathering.
Lesions
Swelling of the peripheral nerves, particularly of the nerves of the leg and wing, is often noticeable. The
visceral organs may contain tumors ranging from microscopic size to fairly large. Such tumor lesions ma
confused with those of lymphoid leukosis without a qualified laboratory diagnosis.

Prevention
Tumor formation from Marek's disease can be prevented through vaccination. Salsbury MD-Vac, a vaccin
chick-embryo tissue culture, is recommended. Vaccination at one day of age usually protects birds throu
their lifetime. There is no treatment for Marek's disease

Marek's disease

Description Marek´s disease (MD) is caused by a herpes virus that

may result in death or severe production loss in both
layer and meat chickens. Vaccination will reduce the
losses. However, in recent years there has been an
increase in Marek´s disease, due to new strains of virus
and faster growing, more susceptible birds.

Marek´s disease is a problem in many household flocks,

especially in those which have not been vaccinated. It
causes changes in many of the nerves and may cause
tumours in the major internal organs (ovary, liver,
kidney, heart and spleen).

Marek´s disease occurs in two main forms, depending on

which parts of the body are affected by the tumours:

Nervous form

In this form the nerves, particulary the sciatic nerves

(the main nerves to the legs), are affected. The birds are
unable to stand, become paralysed and slowly waste
away from lack of food and water. In most cases the
paralysis comes on quickly. Sometimes the wings or
neck are involved. In some cases the iris is involved and
this can lead to blindness.

When the birds are autopsied the affected nerves can

sometimes be seen to be swollen. However, in many
cases changes can only be seen under the microscope.
 Visceral form

In this form, greyish-white tumours are found in the

ovaries, liver, spleen, kidney, heart and other organs.
Sometimes the liver and spleen are swollen without
distinct tumours being present.

Birds may show signs of depression, paralysis, loss of

appetite, loss of weight, anaemia (pale combs),
dehydration (shrunken combs), and sometimes
diarrhoea. Some birds die without any clinical signs
being noticed.
Age of Birds Young birds are the most susceptible to infection Most
deaths from Marek´s disease occur between 10 and 24
weeks of age, although in some cases the disease may
not appear until later in life. Most birds that develop MD
will die.
Similar Lymphoid leucosis also causes tumours in organs, but
Disease does not cause paralysis. It is usually seen in birds over
16 weeks of age, whereas MD is commonly seen under
that age.
Methods of The virus can remain alive in the environment for as
spread long as eight months. It is shed from the feather follicles
and spreads in fluff and dust, gaining entry when the
bird breathes infected dust particles. It is not spread
from the hen to the chicken through the egg.

The virus is highly infectious and, once it is present in a

flock, it spreads rapidly to unvaccinated poultry. Healthy
birds can be carriers and infect others.

Treatment Treatment is not effective. Diseased birds should be

removed from the flock and humanely destroyed. Other
birds in the flock are likely to be infected at this stage -
it is too late to protect them.
Prevention Vaccination

The introduction of more potent vaccines is giving better

control. These are made either from Marek´s disease
virus or from Herpes Virus of Turkeys (HVT), a closely
related virus. However, these new, cell-associated
vaccines are only available in packs of 1000 doses and
must be stored in liquid nitrogen, so special equipment
is needed. This makes it costly to vaccinate small flocks.

A freeze-dried, cell-free, HVT vaccine is available which

is stored under ordinary refrigeration and so is less
costly. This is also available in packs of 1000.

For backyard operations, protection is obtained by

buying, from a commercial source, birds which have
been correctly vaccinated either at day old or into 18-19
day old embryonated eggs (before hatching).

Breeders who wish to vaccinate their own day old chicks

should follow the manufacturer´s directions for the
storage and administration of the vaccine. The
effectiveness of the vaccine is dependent upon its
correct storage and administration.

Management

Vaccination alone will not prevent Marek's disease. It is

important to be attentive to the following management
and hygiene procedures.

It is essential that vaccinated chicks be isolated during

their first two weeks of life so that their immunity will
develop before they are subjected to a severe challenge
of virus. Chicks reared separately are free from the
infected fluff and dust of older birds. This material can
be carried by wind and by people and equipment.

Hygiene is important. There should be a thorough clean-

out and disinfection of sheds and equipment between
batches of chicks. To control MD, a disinfectant should be
used which is effective against viruses, and not just
against bacteria. Care should be taken to protect
oneself from spray by the wearing of suitable protective
clothing and breathing apparatus.

Exposure of the sheds and runs to sunlight helps the

 disinfection process.

Good nutrition and freedom from other diseases and

parasites are necessary to maintain the flock´s health
and to ensure that the birds have optimum resistance
against MD infection.

Breeding

Breeding programs to select birds for resistance to

Marek´s disease are important to give better control in
the future.

In summary, Marek´s disease control requires attention

to correct vaccination, isolation of young chicks, hygiene,
good health and genetically resistant strains of birds.

For flocks with a serious MD problem, the only solution is

to depopulate, clean and disinfect all sheds and
equipment and spell for several months. Then replace
with vaccinated chicks from a reputable hatchery.

The Condition

Marek’s disease is caused by a herpes virus and is one of the most widespread diseases
afflicting chickens. The disease was first recognised by the Hungarian veterinarian Jozsef
Marek in 1907 (Sluis, 1997), and was at one time the most common cause of losses in the
poultry industry. It is now largely controlled by the use of vaccines.

Over the last ten years, the UK Veterinary Investigation Centres have diagnosed around
60 cases of Marek’s disease each year. Although there are no recent published data on
incidence in the UK, losses from Marek’s disease in broilers in the UK are thought to be
very low. It has been estimated that national mortality rates in layer flocks in 1977 were
approximately 1.23% (Bennett et al, 1999).

Since the virus is not transmitted through the egg, chicks are born free of the disease. The
infectious virus matures in the epithelium of feather follicles and infects other birds by
inhalation of infected dust or dander.

Most flocks are infected, although clinical disease is not always seen (Biggs, 1997). It is a
highly contagious disease that may survive for months or years in litter and poultry dust.
Infection occurs through the respiratory tract and infected birds can remain carriers long
after infection. Incubation periods range from 3 weeks to months. Chicks become
infected at an early age, whilst the disease normally manifests itself at 8-24 weeks,
although it may be observed, in some cases, much earlier or later.

There are three serotypes of the virus. Serotype 1 and 2 are found in chickens, while
serotype 3 is related to herpesvirus in turkeys (HVT). Strains of serotype 1 can be divided
into mildly virulent, virulent and very virulent. There is little information on the relative
frequency of the serotypes, but mixed infections of serotype 1 and 2 are found in the
same flock.

There are several forms of the disease. In the acute form the disease occurs rapidly and
can result in high mortality rates. In a more classical latent form, Marek’s disease results
in more persistent but much lower mortality rates. In the acute form, death frequently
occurs within seven days and is often only preceded by a short period of depression. This
acute or productive-restrictive infection occurs in lymphocytes, normally of B-cell origin,
and results in antigen production leading to cell death. The classical form can lead to
progressive paralysis of wings and legs, and in some cases respiratory signs may develop.
In the classical form, the latent infection of T-cells is responsible for the long term carrier
status of recovered birds. In some cases, latently infected lymphocytes undergo neoplastic
development, and may develop into characteristic lymphoid neoplasms.

Classical Marek’s disease is characterised by enlargement of peripheral nerves up to three

times the normal size. The most commonly affected nerves are the brachial and sciatic
plexi, coeliac plexus, abdominal vagus and the intercostal. Nerve lesions are also found,
and occasionally lymphomas (tumours). The acute form of the disease demonstrates
lymphoma and enlargement of the liver, lungs, heart, gonads and kidney.

As the virus is widespread in poultry flocks, diagnosis of the disease cannot be made by
detection using serological or virological tests. Marek’s disease is diagnosed by clinical
signs and by the presence of gross and microscopic lesions. The presence of the virus,
without clinical signs, can be demonstrated by isolation of the virus or by agar gel
precipitation of the viral antigen in feather tips or serum antibody.

Marek’s condition can be confused with lymphoid leukosis. The two diseases are
differentiated by the age at which birds are affected, the presence and focus of lesions, the
presence and absence of paralysis and the category of neoplastic lymphoid cell affected

Recently, very virulent strains (vvMDV) (Witter, 1997; Venugopal, 1996) have emerged,
which can induce a high incidence not only of lesions in the central nervous system, but
also of visceral and nerve lesions in Marek's disease-resistant chickens (Cho et al, 1998).
The impacts of more virulent strains are demonstrated and discussed by Hafez (1997).

The disease is immunosuppressive, and the degree of suppression is linked to the

virulence of the virus strain (Calnek et al, 1998).
The most important route of infection is considered to be the airborne spread via the
respiratory system. The darkling beetle (Alphitobius diaperinus) can carry the virus for
several weeks, although this is not considered to be an important source of infection.

Methods of Control and Prevention

Management

Control of the disease is most effective through vaccination or the isolation of growing
birds from sources of infection or the use of resistant breeds. The disease is not vertically
transmitted and therefore all chicks hatched are virus free. Since the disease is highly
infectious and the virus is present in most flocks, good management is required to delay
infection and suppress the risk of serious disease. This should involve isolation of young
chicks from older birds for the first 2-3 months. An all-in all-out housing policy, coupled
with disinfection, is also recommended. Insects may act as virus reservoirs, and therefore
creating conditions with low insect populations is desirable.

Vaccination

Vaccines are recommended as a supplementary control measure with good hygiene

management. The normal vaccination practice is to use a live vaccine at one day. As all
vaccines require 7-14 days to produce an effective immunity, it is critical to reduce
exposure during the first week or so post-hatching.

Freeze-dried and ‘wet’ live vaccines are available. Both types require reconstitution with
a diluent. The 'wet' vaccine is kept under liquid nitrogen and needs to be used within one
hour and therefore is not really suited for average field use. Under severe conditions, the
‘wet’ vaccines are more effective than the freeze-dried (The Veterinary Formulary, 1998).

The more virulent Rispens strains of Marek’s virus are now being incorporated into
vaccines (CyromarexTM, PoulvacTM Marek CVI and NobilisTM Rismavac). All are
designed for day-old chicks and are administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular
injection.

Although chicks are best vaccinated at one day, at the hatchery, chickens up to 3 weeks
old can be vaccinated. Despite the advances in vaccine development, there remains the
possibility that a virus might evolve that will overcome these control measures. This may
result in a greater emphasis being put on breeding resistant poultry strains. The genetic
variation in response to vaccines and the possibility of improving this response by
selection are described by Bumstead (1998).

New, more virulent forms of the disease may require future vaccination programmes to
rely on "designer vaccines" to combat this problem. Additionally, vaccines may fail to
protect vaccinated birds if they are exposed to the virus before immunity develops or if
exposure to other diseases (eg. infectious bursal disease) depresses their antibody
response to the vaccine.

Breeding for resistance

Selection for resistance to Marek’s disease has been successfully achieved over relatively
short periods, and resistant genes have been identified (Hutt, 1958; Cole and Hutt, 1973;
Cole, 1972; Gavora and Spencer, 1979; Briles et al, 1977). Selection procedures have
been based upon exposing birds to the disease based on the incidence of tumours. Cole
(1972) demonstrated a selected resistant strain of White Leghorns with a susceptibility of
4% compared to an unselected strain with a 91% susceptibility. This type of selection is
expensive and more recently breeding for resistance has been replaced by vaccination.

Gavora and Spencer (1979) indicate that even under vaccination, genetic resistance
within a flock can significantly reduce mortality rates from Marek’s. Yonash et al (1998)
in studies on resistant and susceptible strains indicate that susceptible strains provide a
valuable resource to study the complex nature of Marek’s disease resistance by
simplifying a multigenic trait to a series of single gene traits. Heier et al (1999) showed
significant differences in mortality between strains of White Leghorn and concluded that
Norwegian farmers should be able to reduce the losses from Marek’s disease by replacing
the Norwegian strain of White Leghorn with imported strains, such as the Lohmann
White and Shaver White.

Nutrition

Deaths due to Marek’s disease in layers may be influenced by the method of feeding and
calcium provision. Taylor et al (1999) showed excessive losses of choice-fed birds given
ground calcium included with a protein concentrate. They suggest that lower calcium
intake may have affected the immune responsiveness of the birds. Restriction of total
feed intake accompanied by retardation of body growth rate has been shown to delay the
time of development significantly and to reduce the overall incidence of Marek's disease
(Han and Smyth, 1972).

Good Practice based on Current Knowledge

• Vaccination is advised. This is normally done at the hatchery, aged one day.

• Recommended management practices include:

- All-in, all-out policy, coupled with disinfection between batches.

- Rear young birds away from older birds for the first 2-3 months.

- Reduce insect populations in houses.

Marek's disease
(thing)by Rai Tai Sat Nov 18 2006 at 8:01:21
So, you entered your chicken house today to find that, unfortunately, your poultry is dying at
a relatively unhealthy rate. Birds are lying all over the floor, some looking at you pitifully
through misshapen eyes. Some look like they're preparing for a track competition. A necropsy
reveals a body full of lumps, bumps, and assorted nastiness. What are you to do? What has
gone wrong here? I'm sorry to tell you, friend-- It's beginning to look a lot like Marek's. What
is Marek's, you might ask? I'm glad you did. I'm here to tell you.

What IS this foul monster?

Marek's disease, discovered by Dr. Josef Marek, is a neoplastic disease caused by a type B
herpesvirus. There are three different serotypes of the virus, though it seems that only the
first serotype actually causes disease. This bugger has an incubation period of approximately
4-12 weeks, with manifestations normally seen around 5-6 weeks of age or after the 12 week
period. The mortality curve often follows production curves in layers and broiler-breeders--
that is to say, as birds become more stressed out, the disease peaks. It can form latent
infections that reoccur during times of stress, causing problems that can last a lifetime. This is
a host-specific pathogen, meaning that humans are not at risk of infection.

But where does it come from?

Basically, all chickens produced in the United States (and probably most other intensive
production nations) have Marek's disease. This means that the disease is ubiquitous. Because
of the devastation that the disease caused in the industry before it began to be controlled,
vaccination is now the absolute norm. Vaccination utilizes an attenuated strain, but still results
in infection. We already established that infected birds form latent infections-- they become
carriers for the vaccine in the environment. They can shed the disease at intermittent times
throughout their life and production cycles. Shedding occurs in the form of sloughed-off
epithelial cells from feather follicles. These, along with respiratory secretions and other
excretions can cause lateral transmission from the vaccine-infected birds to those that were
not previously infected. This can lead to a phenomenon called a rolling infection- if any birds
are immunosuppressed, have vaccine failures or other confounding factors, the increased viral
load produced by vaccinated birds will laterally infect the unprotected birds in the house. This
results in a delayed peak of more severe disease. Bad times. Further, these danderbits can
contaminate the environment long after the birds have come and gone, meaning that litter
used between bird cycles can contain infected fomites from earlier flocks. Obviously, the older
the litter, the stronger the build-up of junk in the dust and dirt, and the stronger the challenge
to the baby chickies placed on said litter at day of age. Darkling beetles, a little litter beast,
can also be a vector of the disease because they feed on chicken dander.

What did chicken #44369 ever do to deserve this?

• Unvaccinated birds are very susceptible to this disease due to its field prevalence.
• This infection hits all types of chickens, from broilers to layers to broiler breeders, but
mostly occurs in older birds.
• Turkey can be affected to some extent, but the disease is much more prevalent in
chicken.
• Birds in heavy production systems are at a greater risk than those who are in a lower
intensity rearing system.
• Birds in very unhygienic houses are at risk.
• Birds in a multi-age flock are particularly at risk because of the rolling infections-
imagine putting babies under the challenge of not only the stress of the house and
 movement, vaccine reactions, and contaminated environment, but also the established
hot strain of the virus that has come rolling off of birds who have been in the system
for several months. Recipe = disaster.
• Other predispositions include damage to the respiratory tract through wet litter,
disease, or vaccines, temperature abuse, and immunosuppression from other
diseases.

What should I be looking for?

Marek's has many manifestations, including neural, visceral, and cutaneous. Any or all of these
signs can help point you to a guess of Marek's for your sick birds. Here are some general signs
to be on the lookout for.

• General:
o Severe depression-- caused by generally feeling like all hell
o Emaciation-- caused by a refusal to eat, due to feeling like all hell
• Neurological:
o Paralysis-- a characteristic "hurdling" position- one leg forward and one leg
back. Paralysis is a result of the neurological component of this disease, and is
one of the more characteristic symptoms and is very important for differential
diagnosis. The idea behind the paralysis is that tumor cells invade the nerves
and brain tissue, resulting in neurological symptoms. Paralysis is also seen in
some of the viscera- some birds will have a distended, over-filled crop due to
nerve inhibition. The nerves controlling the tone and stretch of the bird's crop
are out of commission, and so the little storage baggy overfills and looks
pretty darn grotesque.
o Swollen nerves-- especially the sciatic/isciatic nerve. This can be one of the
most acute symptoms indicating the disease and is another important
differential
• Visceral:
o Diarrhea-- either a green or white diarrhea. Because normal bird droppings are
fairly dry, diarrhea can be said to be anything that is particularly wet, and
especially anything that pastes up the vent. Diarrhea can be a complicating
factor to many other diseases because wet litter is generally just not good to
have around.
o Eye lesions-- grey iris and misshapen pupils, caused by the infiltration of
tumor cells into the eyes.
o Visceral tumors-- Arguably the most important manifestation of this disease.
Tumors will appear on/in/around nearly every organ in the body. This is not
necessarily a diagnostic lesion, but it IS a very significant one. Tumors can
cause the kidneys to be several times larger than normal, the liver to appear
necrotic, and the nerves to lose striation. Tumors may also occur on the
thymus and bursa of fabricius, resulting in immunosuppresion. Tumors are
nasty business.
• Cutaneous:
o Shriveled, pale comb
o Lesions on shanks and/or comb-- red shanks are indicative of cutaneous
infiltration of tumor cells.
o Follicular tumors-- These are relatively unpronounced infiltrates of tumors on
the skin. Basically, they will result in what appears to be exaggerated
goosebumps on the skin. Goosebumps are normal; very swollen bumps
accompanied by redness and congestion are not.

Sweet Jesus on a stick! Are you SURE it's Marek's? Maybe it's
something else!

One of the easiest methods of differentiating one disease from others is to pick out important-
looking lesions/signs/symptoms/gross things and see if they can be related to any other
disease.

• visceral tumors = lymphoid leukosis, and that's about it.

• Swollen nerves = possible riboflavin deficiency
• Hepatic lesions = Fowl Cholera, bacterial hepatitis, aspergillosis
• Skin lesions- trauma, bacterial infection
• Neurological symptoms = Newcastle Disease, Avian Influenza, encephalomyelitis,
botulism, 3-Nitro toxicity, Monensin toxicity, methionine toxicity

Because this disease occurs in older birds and has tumors and swollen nerves and
neurological symptoms and skin lesions, it is most likely Marek's. This is the art of differential
diagnosis. Excluding other possibilities makes it possible to take a stab at what on earth is
causing your problem. You can learn a lot by examining the epidemiology. Further tests for
serotyping can be done by submitting pathology samples to the lab. Submitting samples of
brain tissue, nerves, and fresh viscera and tumor tissues will provide the best results.

Determining the source of infection is much more difficult. Because birds are supposed to be
vaccinated, it's important to look at the hatchery. They will tell you it is not their fault.
Growers are supposed to keep their houses hygienic and keep up with vaccines. They will tell
you it is not their fault. Finding the real culprit is going to be a party. Have fun.

Well... Hell. Maybe this isn't so bad. What's the worst that could
happen?

Unvaccinated birds can reach high levels of mortality, either directly or due to the
repercussions of their horrific pathologies. Many birds will be culled due to paralysis and
stunted growth. Those that do make it to the processing plant are likely to be condemned due
to the tumors and skin lesions. In a business where the loss of pennies is a catastrophic
economic blow, this is not an acceptable scenario. So what are you going to do about it?

What CAN I do about it?

There is no real treatment for this disease other than the preventative treatment. Vaccine is
the best means to this end. Vaccination is, in this day and age, normally performed in ovo at
day 18 of incubation. This is simple, because at this age, the eggs are being moved from the
setter to the hatcher. While they are suctioned up, a needle pops a tiny hole in the egg and
injects vaccine into the fluids surrounding the embryo. When the yolk is taken up, the vaccine
will be as well. Combined with maternal antibodies formed from vaccination of parent flocks,
the chickies will be protected for some time. The other option is for hand-vaccination of day-
old chicks. Chicks are pressed against an injection machine that pops the vaccine
subcutaneously into their fuzzy yellow little chicken necks.

Unfortunately, the Marek's vaccine is fairly easy to screw up. Maternal immunity may be
screwed up by only using a weak strain vaccine and never graduating to a more stringent
vaccine that will induce high immunity. The vaccine must be stored in liquid nitrogen until it's
used, and reconstituting can then be easily seen to get screwed up, rendering the vaccine
ineffective. Some people are just bad at hand-vaccinating. They get tired when they get to the
end of the 6 hour vaccination shift, and those little birdies don't get the protection they need.
The diluent or vaccine itself may become contaminated and cause disease or simply fail to
work.

Hygiene also becomes extremely important in prevention. Allowing litter to accumulate without
reducing the disease load is a bad idea. Increasing air flow through the houses can help to
prevent dander from building up and recirculating into the respiratory tracts of the birds.
Adjusting temperature and humidity can help prevent respiratory distress that would aid
Marek's ability to enter the body. Killing off little beetly-bugs can also help prevent the spread
of disease. Biosecurity is a huge issue on most poultry farms, and practising good sanitation
and biosecure practices can decrease risk between houses and between farms.

There are also attempts to genetically select birds that are resistant to the disease. This can
help ameliorate some of the problems with vaccine failure and hygiene, but it should instead
be viewed as a way to aid those other preventative practices, not supplant them.

Marek's Disease
Marek's disease is a herpes virus-induced neoplastic disease of chickens characterized by
tumor formations in nerve, organ, muscle and epithelial tissue with pleomorphic
lymphoid cells. Affects chickens 2 to 16 weeks of age, stresses from other disease
increase severity of MD. Herpes virus is cell associated and shed in skin scales and
feather dander.

Birds remain viremic for life but infected carriers may or may not be clinically ill.
vaccination protects against tumor formation but not against MD infection. Occurrence is
world wide wherever poultry is produced. Transmission is primarily by air within the
poultry house, in feather dander, chicken house dust, feces and saliva. Infected birds carry
virus in blood for life and are a source of infection to susceptible birds. Transmission by
egg is of no significance.

Clinical signs "gray eye" caused by tumors in the pupils and blindness, tumors of the
liver, kidneys spleen, gonads, pancreas, lungs, muscles and skin. Birds develop tumors,
emaciation and death. Diagnosis is based on history of no vaccination, presence of typical
tumor pattern and affected birds.

There is no treatment. Prevention is by vaccination at the hatchery, but vaccination only

prevents tumor formation, not MD infection. All Marek's Disease vaccine must include
HVT.