Comparison between RT-PCR and viral solation for detection OFH9 subtype of avian influenza viruses

During 2004-2006, a total number of 22 tissue samples obtained from poultry flocks suspected to respiratory diseases submitted to avian virology laboratory of faculty of veterinary medicine, were prepared for avian influenza virus [AIV] isolation in embryonated chicken eggs, according to the standard method. RT-PCR was established on tissue samples using specific primers for H9 gene. 3.5 Amplified PCR products were 435 bp in length. Analytical sensitivity of the RT-PCR was 10 EID50 and sensitivity, specificity and correlation rate compared with virus isolation, were 100%, 94% and 95%, respectively. The results showed that the RT-PCR assay using H9 gene specific primers, directly on tissue samples, could be used in rapid detection and subtyping of H9 AIVs as a useful alternative to virus isolation assay

Cholangiocarcinoma in a broiler chicken

Twenty carcasses from a small flock of 5000 four-weeks old broiler chickens were submitted to a poultry disease diagnostic clinic in Tehran. At necropsy, 19 carcasses showed the typical lesions of colibacillosis such as pericarditis, prihepatitis and airsaculitis. One case did not show any gross lesion of colibacillosis or chronic respiratory disease [CRD] but the liver had an abnormal size containing a cystic part at the base of right lobe filled with a whitish fluid. In bacteriological culture, proteus was isolated from liver. Histopathological examination revealed multicentric bile duct hyperplasia and cholangiocarcinoma in the liver. Neoplastic cells effaced hepatocellular architecture. Histological examination of the neoplastic areas in the liver revealed cholangiocarcinoma [bile duct carcinoma]. This appears to be the first reported case of cholangiocarcinoma in birds in Iran