Clinical and Histopathological Survey of Lesions Similar to Pox Skin Lesions in Three Flocks of a Large Commercial Layer Farm

In this study, we report an outbreak of fowl pox disease in a large commercial layer farm in Iran. Three flocks of this farm were affected. Flock A (23 wk of age), flock B (44 wk of age), and flock C (71 wk of age) showed cutaneous lesions. Beak necrosis was seen at the posterior part of the upper or lower beak. Also, some vesicles were seen in combs, wattles, and eyelids. Beak and comb lesions were scraped and stained with Wright's staining for histopathological examination. Samples showed hyperplasia of epidermis but no Bollinger bodies were seen. Histopathologically, the epidermis had marked hyperplasia (acanthosis) caused by the swelling and increased number of cells in the stratum spinosum. Clinical observations, as well as histopathological findings, led to a diagnosis of fowl pox disease.