Newcastle DiseasePhoto Session
GENERALIZED DEPRESSION
Clinical Description• The bird is exhibiting mild depression with a reluctance to stand or move, typical early
signs of this infection.• There are ruffled feathers on the dorsal neck, consistent with fever.
2 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• This bird is showing signs of mild depression.• The feathers on the dorsal neck are ruffled, consistent with fever.
3 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• Depression and reduced feed and water consumption are some of the most consistent
early indicators of infection with Newcastle disease.• Early depression typically is manifested as a reluctance to rise from sternal recumbency,
as seen here.
3 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• The bird is standing on its hock joints, a sign of generalized depression.• There are ruffled feathers on the dorsal neck, consistent with fever.
2 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
ABNORMAL FECAL APPEARANCE
5 day P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• A large amount of watery diarrhea is a common finding in Newcastle.• This diarrhea often has a greenish color, as seen here, due to the presence of bile.• Additionally, diuresis results in an excessive amount of white urates seen in these feces.
5 day P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• A close-up view of the feces shows both the green bile pigment as well as the white
urates.• This diarrhea is somewhat characteristic of Newcastle disease.
CONJUNCTIVITIS
Pathologic Description• The eyelids are swollen preventing them from fully opening.• The eyelids are crusted with a small amount of yellow material.• The ocular conjunctiva, visible along the lateral canthus of the eye, is injected and a
congested blood vessel is evident.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Eyelids: Moderate acute diffuse catarrhal
blepheritis and conjunctivitis.
Clinical Description• Ocular signs commonly include edema of the eyelids, conjunctivitis, and ocular discharge,
all of which are visible in this photo.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Pathologic Description• The periocular region and eyelids are swollen and dried exudate is present on the lower
eyelid.• The cornea is opaque, cloudy and slightly blue.• This bird is also exhibiting respiratory distress, exemplified by the open-mouthed
breathing.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Head: Severe acute edema.• Eye: Severe acute conjunctivitis with corneal edema.
Clinical Description• One of the first signs of disease is often reddening of the periocular region and corneal
edema
2- 3 days P.I with Viscertropic VelogenicNDV
Pathologic Description• The conjunctiva is diffusely red and swollen.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Conjunctiva: Severe acute conjunctivitis with
hemorrhage
Clinical Description• Newcastle disease virus can occasionally infect humans, causing transient conjunctivitis
of the eyes.• Clinical signs typically consist of conjunctivitis (redness and excessive lacrimation), eyelid
edema, and subconjunctival hemorrhage.• The infection is self-limiting and there are no reports of human-to-human spread.
2- 3 days P.I with Viscertropic VelogenicNDV
DIARRHEA
Clinical Description• Watery diarrhea is a common finding in the viscerotropic form of ND infection.• Soiling around the vent, as seen here, can be an important indicator of the presence of
diarrhea.
3 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• A close-up view of the feces shows both the green bile pigment as well as the white
urates.• This diarrhea is somewhat characteristic of Newcastle disease
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
EYELID
Clinical Description• Edema of the eyelids typically produces an
“almond-shaped” appearance to the eyes.
3 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Pathologic Description• The eyelids are swollen preventing them from fully opening.• The eyelids are crusted with a small amount of yellow material.• The ocular conjunctiva, visible along the lateral canthus of the eye, is injected and a
congested blood vessel is evident.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Eyelids: Moderate acute diffuse catarrhal blepheritis
and conjunctivitis
Clinical Description• Ocular signs commonly include edema of the eyelids, conjunctivitis, and ocular discharge.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Pathologic Description• There is bilateral swelling of the face, giving the head a “square” contour.• The eyelids and the ocular feathers are covered by small amounts of yellow crust and the
eyelids are swollen.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Subcutaneous tissue: Moderate acute diffuse edema.• Eyelids: Mild acute catarrhal blepharitis
Clinical Description• Bilateral facial edema has produced a square-shaped face, best appreciated from this
vantage point.
THIN EGG SHELL
Clinical Description• Low-quality, soft-shelled, roughened, or deformed eggs may also be observed in layers
infected with Newcastle disease.• These deformities are especially evident in the egg pictured in the top center of this
photo.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Pathologic Description• These eggs have thin shells that are sometimes misshapen and easily broken.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Egg shell: Malformation and hypomineralization.
Clinical Description• Many of the eggs shown here are rough, misshapen, and thin-shelled.• These findings are often present in viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle and infectious
bronchitis infections, where fever stalls the normal movement of the egg through theoviduct, causing deformed and defective shells.
TORTICOLLIS
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• Chickens infected with viscerotropic neurogenic Newcastle can exhibit a variety of
neurologic signs.• Here, a bird displays torticollis, a lateral twisting of the head and neck.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• Chickens infected with viscerotropic neurogenic NDV can exhibit a variety of neurologic
signs.• Here, the bird displays torticollis, a lateral twisting of the head and neck.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• Chickens infected with neurogenic strains of Newcastle disease, can exhibit a variety of
neurologic signs.• Here, the bird displays torticollis, a lateral twisting of the head and neck.
PERCHING REFLEX
3 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• The bird is unable to fully grasp the examiner’s finger.• This suboptimal response to the perching reflex is an early indication of neurologic
problems.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• Evaluation of the perching reflex shows a suboptimal response, an early indicator of
neurological disease.
PER ACUTE DEATH
Clinical Description• In Newcastle disease, large numbers of the flock may die suddenly, sometimes without
any prior signs of illness.• The incubation time and severity of clinical signs depends on many factors including host
species, age, level of immunity (e.g. vaccinated vs. unvaccinated population), thepresence of concurrent infection, virus pathotype, and virus dose.
LEG PARALYSIS
Clinical Description• This chick, infected with the neurotropic strain of Newcastle disease virus, is exhibiting
paralysis of the legs.
BURSA
Clinical Description• In young birds, such as this one whose bursa is still prominent, edema and hemorrhages
of the bursal mucosa may be found on post-mortem examination.
4 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• There is edema and hemorrhage within the mucosa of the bursa.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• The mucosa of the bursa has been opened to reveal edema and hemorrhages on its
surface.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
CECAL TONSIL
Pathologic Description• The cecal tonsils are swollen, prominent and the superficial parenchyma contains
numerous ill-defined red foci.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Cecal tonsils: Marked acute hemorrhage and edema.
Clinical Description• Velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle
disease. Necrosis of the cecal tonsilsproduces marked hemorrhagic lesions,as shown here.
• In the early stages of the disease, othergastrointestinal lymphoid tissues(GALT) are often hemorrhagic as well.
• Intestinal lesions tend to be mostsevere in areas that have highconcentrations of lymphoid tissue,such as the cecal tonsils.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• Necrosis of lymphoid tissue at the cecal tonsils, as seen here, and throughout the
intestinal walls is used to help distinguish viscerotropic from neurotropic strains ofNewcastle disease in the field.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• As seen through the serosa, there are severe hemorrhages on the cecal tonsils and the
mucosa of the rectum.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• There are hemorrhagic lesions of the mucosa of the cecal tonsils, visible through the
serosal surface of the intestine.• Although Newcastle disease can take a wide range of forms, in the viscerotropic strains,
lesions in the cecal tonsils are one of the most characteristic findings on post-mortemexamination.
4 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• The cecal tonsils have been opened, revealing extensive hemorrhages and ulcers in the
mucosa.
4 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• At the level of the ileocecal valve, there is an ulceration and hemorrhages within the
mucosa of the cecal tonsils.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• There are hemorrhages, necrosis, and ulcerations of the cecal tonsil.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• The cecal tonsils have been opened to reveal severe hemorrhagic ulcerations with
overlying fibrin deposition.• There are also several hemorrhages in the mucosa of the rectum.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• In viscerotropic velogenic NDV, hemorrhagic and necrotic lesions in the intestines tend
to be concentrated in areas with lymphoid tissue, such as the cecal tonsils.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
CLOACA
Pathologic Description• The cloaca and the descending colon have been opened to reveal the mucosal surfaces.
The mucosal surfaces are covered by multiple, randomly distributed, well demarcateddefects that are covered by hemorrhage and slightly granular, pale yellow tags of depositsof tissue.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Colon and cloaca: Severe multifocal acute ulcers with
fibrinous colitis and cloacitis
Clinical Description• Birds that survive the first several days of the infection typically have more severe post-
mortem hemorrhagic lesions, as seen here.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• Hemorrhages, erosions and ulcers, due to tissue necrosis, can occur anywhere along
the gastrointestinal tract. Here, an ulcer is present in the mucosa of the cloaca, withoverlying fibrin accumulation.
• To differentiate ingesta from fibrin, recall that ingesta should wash away easily whilefibrin will remain adhered to the mucosa.
3 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
CONJUNCTIVA
Pathologic Description• The conjunctival mucosa is swollen, wet, and gelatinous and there is one large, poorly
defined, irregularly shaped dark red area as well as several smaller red foci that extendonto the nictitating membrane.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Conjunctiva: Severe acute diffuse edema and
hemorrhage
Clinical Description• Externally, this chicken had periocular edema.• Here, the conjunctiva has been exposed through an incision to reveal the severe
subconjunctival hemorrhages associated with the external lesions.• There are aggregates of lymphoid tissue present in the conjunctiva of the bird, making
this region a target for NCD virus replication.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Pathologic Description• The conjunctiva has been reflected back to show that the mucosa is swollen, dark red
and wet.• Small red foci extend onto the nictitating membrane and the cornea is slightly cloudy.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Conjunctiva: Severe acute diffuse edema and hemorrhage.• Cornea: Mild edema.
Clinical Description• This image shows a variety of ocular and periocular lesions associated with the
viscerotropic strain of NCD virus.
4 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• Externally, this infected chicken had periocular edema.• Here, the conjunctiva has been exposed through an incision to demonstrate the severe
subconjunctival hemorrhages associated with the external lesions.• There are aggregates of lymphoid tissue present in the conjunctiva of the bird, making
this region a target for NDV replication.
4 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• There are severe hemorrhagic lesions in the conjunctiva.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• The conjunctiva and infraorbital sinus have been incised to show the edema and
hemorrhages present on these mucous membranes.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
DUODENUM
Pathologic Description• Within this segment of the duodenum there is a discrete, purple, slightly swollen focus
within the wall.• The lesion is being viewed through the intact serosa.• The discrete nature of the lesion suggests that it is affecting one of the lymphoid
aggregates present in the intestinal submucosa.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Duodenum: Acute, focal lymphoid necrosis
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
EMBRYO
Pathologic Description• The embryo at the top of the image is
normal.• The embryo at the bottom is diffusely
dark red and the skin is swollen and wet.• The subcutaneous tissue of the head is
filled with blood and the blood vesselsover the body are prominent.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Body as a whole: Severe acute hemorrhage and
congestion
Clinical Description• The hemorrhagic nature of viscerotropic
velogenic Newcastle disease virus isevident in this photograph.
• Here, a chicken embryo (bottom) wasinoculated with the virus, causing wholebody congestion and hemorrhage.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
EYE
Clinical Description• Periorbital edema and ocular discharge, as seen here, may be associated with vvNCD.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
FOLLICLE
Pathologic Description• The surfaces of these well developed ovarian follicles are covered by extensive dark red
areas and prominent blood vessels.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Ovarian follicles: Severe acute hemorrhage and
congestion
Clinical Description• Velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease.• The ovaries in this infected bird show marked hemorrhages.• The egg production in such birds often drops dramatically.• Even in birds that survive the acute infection, the reproductive system may be
permanently damaged and egg production may not return to normal.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Pathologic Description• The ovarian follicles are covered by prominent blood vessels and areas of red
discoloration.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Ovarian follicles: Marked acute hemorrhage and
congestion
Clinical Description• Velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease.• Hemorrhagic follicles on the ovaries are commonly found in infected birds and are
accompanied by a drop in egg production.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Pathologic Description• This ovary contains several large follicles that have become flaccid and shrunken.• The blood vessels over many follicles are prominent and the ventral-most follicle is dark
red.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Ovarian follicles: Atresia with hemorrhage and
congestion
Clinical Description• In chickens infected with velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease, ovaries frequently
have gross lesions.• These may include hemorrhage and necrosis (causing discoloration) and follicles may be
flaccid and degenerative.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
ILUEM
Clinical Description• There is a small ulcer with mild hemorrhages in the mucosa of the ileum.• In Newcastle disease, such hemorrhages and accompanying necrosis can occur anywhere
throughout the intestines.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
INFRA ORBITAL SINUS
Clinical Description• The conjunctiva and infraorbital sinus have been incised to show the edema and
hemorrhages present on these mucous membranes.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
INTESTINE
Clinical Description• There is necrosis and hemorrhages of the lymphoid tissue in the intestines, as seen
through the outer serosa.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• The small intestine has an area of focal ulceration and hemorrhage.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• The small intestine has hemorrhages and ulcerations.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
INTESTINE
Clinical Description• Here, extensive hemorrhages were
found on the liver.
3 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
LUNG
Clinical Description• Pulmonary congestion and edema, as seen here, is sometimes observed on post-
mortem examination.
3 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• Some viscerotropic strains can produce severe lesions in the lungs.• In this bird, there is pulmonary edema and extensive hemorrhages.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
PROVENTRICULUS
Clinical Description• The glands are edematous and there are some areas of hemorrhages, consistent with
this strain of NDV.
4 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• This image was taken 5 days post experimental inoculation with viscerotropic velogenic
Newcastle disease.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Pathologic Description• The mucosal glands of the proventriculus are swollen and prominent.• There are pinpoint red foci scattered along the tips of several glands.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Proventricular glands: Acute diffuse edema and
multifocal hemorrhage
Clinical Description• Velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease.• In later stages of NDV infection, more severe hemorrhagic lesions beginning to
develop.• Here, the glands on the mucosal surface of the proventriculus are beginning to form
hemorrhagic lesions.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• There is hemorrhagic proventriculitis. Often, these hemorrhagic lesions cluster around
the esophageal-proventricular junction, as shown here.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• There is hemorrhagic proventriculitis, with hemorrhages concentrated at the esophageal-
proventricular junction.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• There is hemorrhagic proventriculitis.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Pathologic Description• The proventricular mucosa is diffusely red and swollen.• The reddening is particularly prominent at the esophogeal/proventricular junction (right
side of image).• Blood tinged fluid is present in the ventriculus (gizzard).
Morphologic Diagnosis• Proventriculus: Severe acute mucosal hemorrhage and
congestion
Clinical Description• NDV can produce hemorrhagic lesions throughout the gastrointestinal tract.• In this chicken, there are severe lesions in the proventriculus and gizzard.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
RECTUM
Clinical Description• As seen through the serosa, there are severe hemorrhages on the cecal tonsils and the
mucosa of the rectum.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• There are severe hemorrhages in the mucosa of the rectum.
5 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
SPLEEN
Clinical Description• The spleen is enlarged due to severe splenic congestion and the spleen is mottled with
some white pinpoint lesions, caused by necrosis.• Although Newcastle disease can take a wide range of forms, in the viscerotropic strains,
lesions in the spleen are one of the most characteristic findings on post-mortemexamination.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• In viscerotropic strains of the virus, it is common to find lesions of the spleen on post-
mortem examination.• Here, the spleen is enlarged and there are many multifocal white lesions caused by tissue
necrosis.
3 days P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
TRACHEA
Pathologic Description• Pinpoint red foci are scattered along the mucosal surfaces.• These foci are particularly dense in areas running parallel to the cartilaginous rings.
Morphologic Diagnosis• Trachea: Mild multifocal petechia
Clinical Description• This image is from an acute outbreak, where many birds were suddenly found dead.• On post-mortem exam, no severe lesions were found due to the rapid onset of the
infection.• Only mild hemorrhagic lesions in the mucosa of the trachea were observed (as seen
here).• In flocks unvaccinated for NDV, massive deaths within the flock may occur quickly,
without any prior signs of illness and few post-mortem lesions.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• In viscerotropic velogenic NDV, congestion and hemorrhages may be observed in the
pharynx and proximal trachea, as seen here.• These hemorrhages in the tracheal wall are typically not associated with free-blood in
the lumen.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV
Clinical Description• Highly virulent Newcastle disease virus results in hemorrhagic lesions in the trachea.• The tracheal lesions normally do not include free blood in the lumen.
P.I with ViscertropicVelogenic NDV