Abstract

This experimental study was conducted to document the clinicopathologic features observed in Japanese quails inoculated with P. multocida serotypes A: 1, 3 and 4. Thirty 6-week-old Japanese quails (male and female) were divided into five groups (A, B, C, D and E) of 6 quails each. Groups A, B, C and D were further sub-divided into three sub-groups, with each group consisting of two quails. Quails in groups A, B, C and D were inoculated with 0.1ml of Pasteurella multocida serotypes A: 1, 3 and A 4 at concentrations 106, 107 and 108 CFU/quail respectively through intramuscular route in the pectoral muscle. Group D was inoculated with fowl cholera vaccine strain A: 1 of P. multocida, while quails in group E, the uninfected control were inoculated with normal saline. All the infected Japanese quails manifested clinical signs such as weakness, in appetence and sudden death. Hundred percent mortality was observed at concentrations of 108, 107, in groups A and B. No mortality was noticed in group D (vaccine strain) and group E (uninfected control). Gross lesions observed were petechial and ecchymotic haemmorhages on the heart and breast muscles, congested heart, liver and lungs in affected quails. Histopathological lesions observed in group A, B and C were generalized mononuclear cellular infiltration and pulmonary congestion in the lungs. It was observed that Japanese quails were susceptible to fowl cholera caused by serotypes A: 1, 3 and 4 and need to be vaccinated with polyvalent fowl cholera vaccine containing serotypes A: 1, 3 and 4.

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