Non-Infectious Visceral Gout in Chickens: A Pathological and Epidemiological Study
Nalabothula Laxmi Prasanna
*
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, Telangana, India.
Soujanya Samala
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, Telangana, India.
Boinepally Ramya
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, Telangana, India.
Doggela Prathibha
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, Telangana, India.
Katta Charith
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, Telangana, India.
Kaluvai Sahithi
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, Telangana, India.
Karumuri Jessi Irvine Raj
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, Telangana, India.
Kunta Srikeerthan
College of Veterinary Science, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, Telangana, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Gout is a metabolic disorder in poultry characterized by hyperuricemia and deposition of urate crystals in tissues, which occurs primarily due to renal dysfunction. The present study was conducted to assess the occurrence, pathological features, and epidemiological pattern of non-infectious visceral gout in chicken over a period of one year. A total of 5280 poultry carcasses were examined by postmortem, and detailed gross and histopathological evaluations were performed. Out of 5280 carcasses examined, 867 cases were found positive for visceral gout with an overall prevalence of 16.42%. The highest incidence was recorded in birds of the second week of age (35.46%), followed by the third week (18.18%) and first week (7.27%), while minimal occurrence was observed in birds older than three weeks (2.47%). Clinical signs observed were reduced feed and water intake, lethargy, ruffled feathers, weight loss, and abnormal droppings. Chalky white urate deposits on visceral organs, enlarged kidneys, and distended ureters were noticed grossly during necropsy. Histopathology of kidney sections showed renal tubular degeneration, necrosis, deposition of urate crystal, glomerular alterations and inflammatory changes. The disease showed higher prevalence during colder months, indicating a strong influence of environmental factors. The findings confirm that dietary imbalance, particularly high protein and calcium levels, along with managemental stress, play a significant role in the development of visceral gout.
Keywords: Visceral gout, chicken, poultry, hyperuricemia, urate crystal deposition, renal pathology, histopathology, non-infectious metabolic disorder