Avian encephalomyelitis

with some atypical characteristics

Dr.Kedar Karki
AVIAN ENCEPHALOMYELITIS
Picornaviridae family, formerly Enterovirus but it is placed today
in the genus Hepatovirus – a single-stranded RNA virus, small-sized
20-30 nm, consists of 4 proteins VP 1-4, hexagonal without
envelope
Most prevalent in chickens, turkeys, pheasants & quails younger than
4 wks
Fairly resistant to various chemical agents (chloroform, acid, trypsin,
pepsin, DNase) & environmental conditions (heat)
 AVIAN
ENCEPHALOMYELITIS
• Clinical signs:

• Usually are observed between 1-3 wks (commonly at the

first week) Progressive incoordination, hock
walking/sitting, “bicycle leg movements”, rapid head (or
neck) tremors (“EPIDEMIC TREMOR”)
• Many whistlings
• Finally ataxia progressing to
paralysis, prostration, death
• MORBIDITY: may reach 40-60%
• MORTALITY: 25-50% or more
• Usually no signs in adults, only
slight transitory egg production
drop (5-20%, 3-4 wks.) ± decrease
in hatchability
 Diagnosis
• The following methods may help in making a
diagnosis for
• Avian Encephalomyelitis.
• 1. Virus Neutralization test.*
• 2. Agar Gel test.*
• 3. Elisa test.*
• 4. Embryo Susceptibility test.
• The above tests are only indicative of antibody
present but not necessarily disease. The final
diagnosis can be achieved either by
histopathology or by virus isolation. Classic
diagnosis is typically made by the presence of
brain lesions shown histologically.
AE-INFECTED CHICKS