Incidence of Marek’s Disease in Coturnix Coturnix Japonica in an Organized Farm

Marek’s disease (MD) was observed in Japanese quails. Gross lesions were confined mostly to the proventriculus, spleen and liver. Microscopic lesions were commonly seen in the spleen and liver. Suggestive lesions of MD were observed in seven out of 20 birds grossly. Organs were collected from all the 20 necropsied birds. The birds which were not revealing gross lesions were also tested for MD virus antigen by precipitation test using positive serum. All the seven affected birds with prominent tumour lesions were showing line of precipitation by agar gel precipitation test. Three birds without visible lesions were also positive for AGPT while others were negative. This is the first case of occurrence of Marek’s disease in the institute. The possible source of infection of the Japanese quails could be a spread from chickens reared within the farm premise.