SEROPREVALENCE AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL LESIONS OF MYCOPLASMA SYNOVIAE IN BROILERS FROM DISTRICT KARAK, PAKISTAN
Abstract
Pakistan’s poultry industry plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and generating income, yet infectious diseases, such as Newcastle Disease (ND), pose significant economic challenges. ND, caused by an RNA virus from the Paramyxoviridae family (A PMV-1), is diagnosed through clinical signs, post-mortem observations, and serological tests, such as the Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test, which is quick, economical, and reliable. This study focused on the sero-epidemiology of ND among broilers and layers in the Peshawar and Charsadda districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 100 blood samples (50 from broilers and 50 from layers) were analyzed using the HI test at the Veterinary Research Institute in Peshawar. ND prevalence was 56% in broilers and 66% in layers (p = 0.305). No significant differences emerged between locations (Peshawar, 68%; Charsadda, 54%) or age groups, specifically those under 3 weeks (57.37%) and those over 3 weeks (42.62%) (p > 0.05). Clinical signs associated with greenish diarrhea were strongly linked to ND positivity (95.5%, p = 0.000, contingency coefficient = 0.667), whereas respiratory symptoms showed a moderate association (88.52%, p = 0.000, contingency coefficient = 0.623). Vaccination status was not significantly associated with ND infection (p = 0.305). Postmortem examinations revealed characteristic pinpoint hemorrhages in the proventriculus, trachea, and cecal tonsils. In summary, ND remains a significant threat to poultry in KPK. Greenish diarrhea is an important early indicator of disease. Continuous surveillance and further research are crucial for identifying circulating ND virus strains and enhancing control measures, ultimately mitigating economic losses.
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Received: سبتمبر 23, 2026; Published: يونيو 30, 2026
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