Clinical Epidemiological Investigation of Moldy Grain and Fodder Poisoning in Goat in Kathmandu Valley.

An outbreak of a syndrome of unknown etiology associated with the feeding of moldy maize grain and green fodder to goat in a herd of male 3853 goats for sale for the Dashahara festival during the month of October-2010 in Kathmandu valley. In a period of 10 days 500 goats suddenly became ill with symptoms of anorexia, apathy, diarrhea and ruminal stasis .On clinical examination these goats were provisionally diagnosed with sudden illness and moldy corn/fodder poisoning was suspected., about 250 goats died. Necrosis of the fore stomach mucosa was the most characteristic gross pathological change. Clinical pathological findings included mild focal erosions to severe, diffuse, coagulative necrosis of the mucosa in the rumen, reticulum and omasum and congestion and hemorrhages in the abomasums. Liver with shrunken appearance and pale to yellowish discoloration with bile filled distended bladder, pin point hemorrhage in kidney, intestine with excessive mucus. On mycological and microbiological examination of tissue samples from post-mortem of dead goat on respective medium revealed the growth of fungal pathogens like Penicillium spp with Staphylococcus.. These results provide circumstantial evidence that feeding on moldy maize grain and green fodder leaves infested with Penicillium may cause outbreaks of systemic Mycosis in goats.

Hemorrhagic Proliferative Proventriculitis and Gizzard Erosion in Poultry Birds.

A new disease condition has emerged affecting replacement pullets. It affects the birdsbetween 2 to 10 weeks of age. The mortality rate varies between 1 to 10% and ultimately the flock is left with creation of several small poorly feathered and pale chicks. Though it has not been possible to establish the exact cause of this condition, following three points has been taken in consideration. HPPGE is an illness that involves one or more infectious agents. The digestive tract and endocrine organs may be primary targets for this agents.The spectrum of signs or lesions are either caused by or exacerbated by nutritional, husbandry and hygienic factors. The response to the treatment is often poor but the symptomatic treatment has helped in ameliorating the mortality. Similar condition has been widely reported in broilers under various names like Malabsorption syndrome, infectious Proventriculitis, infectious runting syndrome, pale bird syndrome and stunting syndrome.