Occurrence of runting and stunting syndrome in broiler chickens in the Sudan

Abstract

The first outbreak of reovirus infection in broiler chickens was observed in the Sudan in the largest poultry industry of the country. The disease was characterized clinically by growth retardation, lameness, poor feathering, shank depigmentation and occasionally retraction of the head. Grossly there was enlargement of the proventriculus, atrophy of the pancreas and bone abnormalities. Histopathologic changes included hepatitis, nephritis, myocarditis, pericarditis, catarrhal enteritis, pancreatic necrosis, encephalomalacia and ricketic changes. Details were described. Reovirus was isolated from affected birds and reisolated from experimentally infected chicks. Infection was confirmed by immunoelectrophoresis and agar gel precipitation tests.