AVIAN TUBERCULOSIS IN A GOOSE
By S. NURUL MOHTEDA, G.M.V.C., P.G. (MADRAS), Assistant Disease Investigation Officer (Poultry),
Hyderabad-Deccan
(Received for publication on 23 November 1944)
TUBERCULOSIS in fowls is an insidious chronic
disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis avium.
But this disease has been regarded as being of very
rare occurrence in ducks and geese. Feldman [1938]
states that the disease is uncommon in water fowls,
and ducks even when living in intimate contact
with tuberculous fowls.
Eber [1925] found one case of tuberculosis among
460 ducks but failed to find the disease among 412
geese and 15 swans which he examined at necropsy.
Klimmer [1930] over a period of 22 years examined
181 ducks and 145 geese and found tuberculosis
in one per cent of the former and 1.4 per cent in the
latter. Lænkholm as quoted by Zeller [1932]
observed only one case of tuberculosis among 135
geese and 131 ducks.
Picard [1927] from the Dutch East Indies reported
this disease in one goose and two fowls. Tubercu-
losis in fowls has been recorded from various parts
of India but the extent of the losses caused by the
disease is not yet known [Iyer, 1943]. There is no
published record available to show the incidence of
tuberculosis in ducks in India.
The object of this brief note is to record a case of
tuberculosis in a goose. This is the first case
of its kind encountered in Hyderabad State. It
occurred in a flock of 13 geese and 17, ducks which
were kept in captivity at the Zoological Public
Gardens, Hyderabad-Dn. About 30 to 40 fowls
were also in close contact with them. Later on, all
contracted Ranikhet disease but 14 survived.
Report of the sudden death of a goose was received
by the writer when he was engaged in attending
an outbreak of Ranikhet disease in the same
gardens.
POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION
It was an old bird showing marked emaciation.
Extensive generalized tuberculosis involving most
of the organs in the body was observed. To illustrate
the macroscopic appearances of the infected organs
the following notes are given :—
Liver. It was markedly enlarged. A few hæmor-
rhages were observed on the surface of the organ.
Miliary foci of caseation and one large area as big
as a play marble were seen in the right lobe. This
large area of caseation was encapsulated and on
section revealed cheesy material inside. The lesions
showed great tendency to coalesce into large diffuse
areas.
Spleen. It was 3-4 times the normal size with
multiple lesions similar to those of the, liver.
Lungs. Both lungs were involved and showed
marked tuberculous lesions. Areas of caseation,
extending around the bronchü and involving the
pleura were seen. These lesions were similar to
those described by Feldman [1938] and Dobson
[1941]. These workers draw attention to the greater
tendency for tuberculous lesions to occur in the
lungs and on the serous membranes of ducks.
Heart. It was broader at the apex. Mortar-like
black and white areas of necrosis were seen in the
aorta and in the auricles in which numerous acid-
alcohol-fast bacilli were present. The pericardium
was also involved.
Gizzard. A few nodules on the serous membrane
of the gizzard, especially over the portion which
was lying in close proximity to the liver, were en-
countered.
Intestines. Ulcerated areas with round or rolled
borders were found in the small intestine but nodules
could be detected in the wall of the large intestine.
The mucous membrane of the cloaca and cæca was
thickened and corrugated.
In addition to the organs mentioned above lesions
were also observed in the bones, ovaries and the
air sacs.
MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION
Smears prepared from the lesions in the various
organs when stained by Ziehl Neelsen's method
revealed a large number of acid-alcohol-fast organisms
closely resembling in morphology and arrangement
those found in the tuberculosis of the fowls.
Confirmation of the material. Material from the
soft tissues and bones collected from the specimen
was forwarded to the Research Officer, Tuberculosis
and Johnes Disease, Imperial Veterinary Research
Institute, Mukteswar, who confirmed the diagnosis
of tuberculosis and reported that the causal organism
was of the avian type.
Samples of faeces from the incontact geese were
examined microscopically for the evidence of the
intestinal form of tuberculosis with negative results.
Tuberculin test. Thirteen geese, 17 ducks and 14
fowls were subjected to the intradermal tuberculin
test. The wattle of fowls is selected as the most
suitable site for inoculation but in ducks, geese and
other birds, this organ is either absent or extremely
small. Certain workers have recorded the results
of their efforts to find a suitable site for the tuber-
culin test, including the conjunctivalsac, the eye-
lids, skin of the neck, breast wing and web of feet.
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