ISSN:
1432-2307
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Round heart disease in the turkey has been studied by light and electron microscopy. Myocarditis, characterized by focal muscle cell degeneration and mononuclear infiltrates, was present in turkeys from 1 day after hatching through 8 weeks of age. Myocardial injury was most severe from age 5 to 12 days. Virus-like particles, 60–90 mµ in diameter, resembling the avian leukosis viruses, were present in the myocardial cells of all turkeys with myocarditis. Dilatation and hypertrophy, predominantly of the left ventricle developed after the second week of life. Collagen accumulation beneath the endocardium was evident by electron microscopy in 1- and 2-day-old birds. This progressed to marked endocardial fibroelastosis after 1 month and was often associated with involvement of the mitral valve and its papillary muscles and chordae tendineae. Maturing and adult turkeys demonstrated congestive heart failure with congestion of the lungs and liver, pleural effusions and ascites. Because of the similarity of gross and microscopic findings, round heart disease in turkeys may serve as an experimental model for primary endocardial fibroelastosis in humans.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00542713
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