Diagnostic pathology of leucocytozoonosis in Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Dwinna Aliza
, Muhammad Hanafiah, Nuzul Asmilia, Nazaruddin, Winaruddin, Zainuddin, Denny Irmawati Hassan, Putika Sari Ayu
Abstract: Leucocytozoonosis is caused by a Leucocytozoon sp. infection, which is transmitted through the vector Culicoides arakawae, and results in lethargy, anemia, fever, paralysis, and even death in poultry. Numerous diagnostic methods, including clinical signs, blood smear examination, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have been developed; however, these methods tend to have certain limitations. This study, therefore, aims to observe gross pathology and histopathological lesions in broiler chicken organs with leucocytozoonosis within Banda Aceh, Indonesia, as a pathognomonic feature of the disease, to enable precise diagnosis. A total of 40 fresh broiler chicken cadavers were collected from several markets around Banda Aceh. The samples were then necropsied, and the appearance of all organs and tissues was observed. Subsequently, the organs and tissues with lesions were subjected to histopathological and parasitological examinations, then stained using hematoxylin-eosin. Gross anatomical examination results revealed hemorrhages in the pectoralis and femoralis muscles, trachea, liver, heart, lungs, proventriculus, intestine, thymus, bursa of Fabricius, spleen, kidney, and brain. The histopathological examination revealed the presence of schizonts and megaloschizonts in organs and tissues, accompanied by haemorrhage. In contrast, the parasitological method indicated that schizonts were present in the muscle and lungs. The study’s findings are crucial in preventing the outbreak of the disease.
Keywords: gross anatomy; histopathology; leucocytozoon; parasite; schizont
Citation: Aliza, D., Hanafiah, M., Asmilia, N., Nazaruddin, Winaruddin, Zainuddin, Hassan, D. I. & Ayu, P. S. (2025). Diagnostic pathology of leucocytozoonosis in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Bulg. J. Agri. Sci., 31(5), 1039–1045
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| Date published: 2025-10-28
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