A comparative study of the pathogenesis of malabsorption syndrome in broilers

Five malabsorption syndrome (MAS) homogenates from The Netherlands and Germany were used to reproduce MAS in broilers. We studied the histopathology after inoculation of 1-day-old broiler chicks and the agents that might be involved. Generally, the MAS homogenates induced signs that differed in severity and pathobiology. We could distinguish and classify the inoculated groups best by histopathology: proventriculitis, lesions in the small intestines in combination with proventriculitis, or lesions of the small intestines only. Lesions in the small intestine had more impact on weight gain depression than lesions in the proventriculus. In three out of five inoculated groups, microscopic lesions of the pancreas were found. Reovirus was detected in the inoculated groups by virus isolation and seroconversion, and reoviral antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry of the small intestine. Also, enteroviruslike particles were detected in three of the five inoculated groups, although not in the most affected group. Additionally, bacteriophages and bacteria (hemolytic Escherichia coli, Pasteurella hemolytica, and Enterococcus durans) were isolated from inoculated chicks. The role these agents play in pathogenesis of MAS is still unsolved.