Histological grading of hepatic amyloidosis in ducks

Abstract

Duck farming is very popular in various parts of the world. Even though ducks are highly predisposed to amyloidosis, study on histological grading of amyloidosis and its correlation with gross findings in the visceral organs are scarce. In the current study, we necropsied 112 duck carcasses over a period of one year and the occurrence of hepatic amyloidosis was studied and histological scoring was made. The study revealed amyloidosis in 61.61 per cent carcasses. We analysed the livers of such ducks histologically for the extent and pattern of amyloid deposits. The extent of amyloid deposition was graded as mild, moderate or severe. In severe amyloidosis without cellularity, the liver grossly showed deep yellow discolouration of the parenchyma. In moderate amyloidosis characterised by islands of hepatocytes and erythrocytes, the liver grossly showed pale pink to brownish discolouration. In mild amyloidosis with preserved hepatocellular architecture, the gross discolouration of the liver was minimum. The histological severity of amyloidosis could be directly correlated with the gross features in liver tissue specimens.