Sac Infection Research Articles

Bacteriological And Pathological Study Of Omphalitis In Broiler Chicks

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of omphalitis in the productive traits of broiler chicks.The study was conducted from July 2012 to April 2013 in the hatcheries of Al-Fallujah, Al-Anbar province, Iraq to determine the prevalence of yolk sac infection, and to identify yolk sac infection attributed to various bacterial pathogens threatening the area causing economic losses in poultry industry and to take the precautionary measure to minimize such losses .A total of (116) moribund newly hatched chicks with an age of (1-5)days were received from different hatcheries or farms. The selective chicks were necropsied for bacteriological cultures, histopathological study in addition to investigate their sequel on the health state of the birds.The study showed that the prevalence of bacteria was in the following order; Streptococcus spp 39%, Escherichia coli 20.6%, Proteus spp 14.2%. Pseudomonas spp. 9.5%, Staphylococcus spp. 6.3%, Pasteurella spp. 4.7% , Klebsiella spp 3.1%, Bacillus (saprophytic) 1.5%.Our study proved that omphalitis have a vital role in increase mortality during the first week in addition to its direct effect in decrease body weight as well as immunological response to further vaccination because of deprivation of passive maternal immunity that will predispose the bird for the endemic diseases.

Aspergillus and aspergilloses in wild and domestic animals: a global health concern with parallels to human disease.

The importance of aspergillosis in humans and various animal species has increased over the last decades. Aspergillus species are found worldwide in humans and in almost all domestic animals and birds as well as in many wild species, causing a wide range of diseases from localized infections to fatal disseminated diseases, as well as allergic responses to inhaled conidia. Some prevalent forms of animal aspergillosis are invasive fatal infections in sea fan corals, stonebrood mummification in honey bees, pulmonary and air sac infection in birds, mycotic abortion and mammary gland infections in cattle, guttural pouch mycoses in horses, sinonasal infections in dogs and cats, and invasive pulmonary and cerebral infections in marine mammals and nonhuman primates. This article represents a comprehensive overview of the most common infections reported by Aspergillus species and the corresponding diseases in various types of animals.

.

This present article aims to describe the treatment of canine anal sac inflation and infection by Photodynamic-therapy (PDT). PDT was obtained by using a dye, blue metilen 0,01% and red light from a red LED light source. After two treatments, on every 48 hours, the dog present complete recovery from anal sac illness, without any other conventional drug administration. PDT showed to be an efficient in treat anal sac inflammation and infection.

Prevalence of disorders recorded in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels attending primary-care veterinary practices in England.

BackgroundConcerns have been raised over breed-related health issues in purebred dogs, but reliable prevalence estimates for disorders within specific breeds are sparse. Electronically stored patient health records from primary-care practice are emerging as a useful source of epidemiological data in companion animals. This study used large volumes of health data from UK primary-care practices participating in the VetCompass animal health surveillance project to evaluate in detail the disorders diagnosed in a random selection of over 50% of dogs recorded as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs). Confirmation of breed using available microchip and Kennel Club (KC) registration data was attempted.ResultsIn total, 3624 dogs were recorded as CKCSs within the VetCompass database of which 143 (3.9%) were confirmed as KC-registered via microchip identification linkage of VetCompass to the KC database. 1875 dogs (75 KC registered and 1800 of unknown KC status, 52% of both groups) were randomly sampled for detailed clinical review. Clinical data associated with veterinary care were recorded in 1749 (93.3%) of these dogs. The most common specific disorders recorded during the study period were heart murmur (541 dogs, representing 30.9% of study group), diarrhoea of unspecified cause (193 dogs, 11.0%), dental disease (166 dogs, 9.5%), otitis externa (161, 9.2%), conjunctivitis (131, 7.4%) and anal sac infection (129, 7.4%). The five most common disorder categories were cardiac (affecting 31.7% of dogs), dermatological (22.2%), ocular (20.6%), gastrointestinal (19.3%) and dental/periodontal disorders (15.2%).Discussion and conclusionsStudy findings suggest that many of the disorders commonly affecting CKCSs are largely similar to those affecting the general dog population presented for primary veterinary care in the UK. However, cardiac disease (and MVD in particular) continues to be of particular concern in this breed.Further workThis work highlights the value of veterinary practice based breed-specific epidemiological studies to provide targeted and evidence-based health policies. Further studies using electronic patient records in other breeds could highlight their potential disease predispositions.

Performance, health and tissue weights of broiler chickens fed graded levels of hairless hulled yellow and brown canary seed (Phalaris canariensis L.)

Classen, H., Cho, M., Hucl, P., Gomis, S. and Patterson, C. A. 2014. Performance, health and tissue weights of broiler chickens fed graded levels of hairless hulled yellow and brown canary seed (Phalaris canariensis L.). Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 669–678. Research examined the effects of dietary levels (0, 15, 30 and 45%) of hulled yellow (C05041) and brown (CDC Maria) canary seed on the performance and health of broiler chickens. Eight (six birds each) and five (four birds each) replications per treatment were used from 0 to 21 and from 22 to 35 d of age, respectively. Growth rate and feed intake were affected in a quadratic manner by canary seed level from 0 to 21 d with the highest growth achieved by 15 and 30% treatments, but were not affected from 22 to 35 d. Feed to gain ratio decreased linearly with increasing canary seed for both 0- to 21-d and 22- to 35-d time periods. Mortality was not affected by level of canary seed, but more birds fed the C05041 cultivar died as a result of yolk sac infection and infectious causes than did birds fed CDC Maria. Level of canary seed affected jejunum, kidney and bursa of Fabricius proportional weights in a quadratic manner with no differences between the 0 and 45% treatments. No interactions were found between dietary level and cultivar of canary seed. Treatment did not affect gross necropsy at trial end or histopathology of key organs. Yellow and brown hairless canary seed has merit and is safe for poultry feeding.

Effects of medication methods after simple and effective probing of lacrimal passage.

To evaluate the effect of reducing the use of antibiotics in the treatment of infant bacterial dacryocystitis after probing of the lacrimal duct. A total of 542 cases of children under one year old and accepting nasolacrimal duct probing treatment were divided into two groups, which were treated with topical and oral antibiotics, respectively. Conjunctival sac secretions were used as a control index of bacterial infection, whereas the disappearance of epiphora symptoms and lacrimal passage patency were used as cure indexes. The χ (2) test was used to compare enumeration and measurement data, and a statistical significance was set at P<0.05. The therapeutic effect on the two groups of postoperative patients was investigated. In the two study groups, no significant differences in gender, age and postoperative control of lacrimal sac infection were observed. The cure rates after three probing operations also showed no significant difference. After probing of the lacrimal passage, results of this study confirmed that postoperative medication without oral antibiotics but an ophthalmic dosage of antibiotics was a simple and effective treatment method.

Performance, health and tissue weights of broiler chickens fed graded levels of hairless hulled yellow and brown canary seed (Phalaris canariensis L.)

Classen, H., Cho, M., Hucl, P., Gomis, S. and Patterson, C. A. 2014. Performance, health and tissue weights of broiler chickens fed graded levels of hairless hulled yellow and brown canary seed (Phalaris canariensis L.). Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 669-678. Research examined the effects of dietary levels (0, 15, 30 and 45%) of hulled yellow (C05041) and brown (CDC Maria) canary seed on the performance and health of broiler chickens. Eight (six birds each) and five (four birds each) replications per treatment were used from 0 to 21 and from 22 to 35 d of age, respectively. Growth rate and feed intake were affected in a quadratic manner by canary seed level from 0 to 21 d with the highest growth achieved by 15 and 30% treatments, but were not affected from 22 to 35 d. Feed to gain ratio decreased linearly with increasing canary seed for both 0- to 21-d and 22- to 35-d time periods. Mortality was not affected by level of canary seed, but more birds fed the C05041 cultivar died as a result of yolk sac infection an...

Neutrophils Select Hypervirulent CovRS Mutants of M1T1 Group A Streptococcus during Subcutaneous Infection of Mice

Pathogen mutants arise during infections. Mechanisms of selection for pathogen variants are poorly understood. We tested whether neutrophils select mutations in the two-component regulatory system CovRS of group A Streptococcus (GAS) during infection using the lack of production of the protease SpeB (SpeB activity negative [SpeB(A-)]) as a marker. Depletion of neutrophils by antibodies RB6-8C5 and 1A8 reduced the percentage of SpeB(A-) variants (SpeB(A-)%) recovered from mice infected with GAS strain MGAS2221 by >76%. Neutrophil recruitment and SpeB(A-)% among recovered GAS were reduced by 95% and 92%, respectively, in subcutaneous MGAS2221 infection of CXCR2(-/-) mice compared with control mice. In air sac infection with MGAS2221, levels of neutrophils and macrophages in lavage fluid were reduced by 49% and increased by 287%, respectively, in CXCR2(-/-) mice compared with control mice, implying that macrophages play an insignificant role in the reduction of selection for SpeB(A-) variants in CXCR2(-/-) mice. One randomly chosen SpeB(A-) mutant outcompeted MGAS2221 in normal mice but was outcompeted by MGAS2221 in neutropenic mice and had enhancements in expression of virulence factors, innate immune evasion, skin invasion, and virulence. This and nine other SpeB(A-) variants from a mouse all had nonsynonymous covRS mutations that resulted in the SpeB(A-) phenotype and enhanced expression of the CovRS-controlled secreted streptococcal esterase (SsE). Our findings are consistent with a model that neutrophils select spontaneous covRS mutations that maximize the potential of GAS to evade neutrophil responses, resulting in variants with enhanced survival and virulence. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the critical contribution of neutrophils to the selection of pathogen variants.

How Egg Quality Impacts the Health of Day-One-Chicks?

The main goal of every breeder farm is to get the maximum number of qualified eggs and live chicks per hen and the highest proportion of top quality day-one-chicks. In order to obtain the maximum number of healthy, highly productive chicks, we need to consider not only the variables related to the breeders but also the factors related to eggs quality. Physical characteristics of fertile eggs are key not only to embryonic development and hatchability, but also to the health of chicks during the first week of life. Eggs with low shell quality or low specific gravity are more likely to be penetrated by pathogenic bacteria. The most obvious consequence of such infection is the development of omphalitis, also called yolk sac infection, major cause of disease and mortality in broilers during the first week, as well as a loss of productivity throughout the life of broilers

Molecular typing of avian Escherichia coli isolates by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequences- polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR)

BACKGROUND: Colibacillosis is one of the most economically important diseases of poultry worldwide. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the clonal relatedness and typing of 95 avian Escherichia coli isolates by ERIC-PCR. METHODS: Sixty-three E. coli isolates from two common manifestations of colibacillosis (yolk sac infection and colisepticemia) and 32 isolates from feces of apparently healthy broilers were provided. The PCR amplification reactions were performed in duplicate for all isolates. RESULTS: The molecular weight of the observed bands on gel electrophoresis ranged from 232 bp to 2690 bp. Sixty-five fingerprinting patterns were observed among 95 isolates on the basis of molecular weights and the number of bands. The numbers of 20, 22, and 23 fingerprinting patterns were found among isolates from yolk sac infection, colisepticemia, and feces, respectively. Among different fingerprinting patterns, the number of produced bands differed from 2 to 11. No identical pattern was observed among isolates of three sources. Isolates showing similar patterns in each source group belonged to a single farm. However, a few isolates that had been isolated from different farms also showed similar fingerprinting patterns. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study showed a high degree of polymorphism among E. coli isolates originated from different poultry sources when the respective bacterial genomes were analyzed by the ERIC-PCR and that no specific genotypes were responsible for different manifest- ations of colibacillosis.

A study on bacterial flora and antibacterial resistance of yolk sac infection in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

In order to study Enterobacteriaceae contamina- tion of dead-in-shell embryos in quails and the antibacterial resistance of isolated salmonellae, 335 quail eggs which did not have external piping during the hatching period were transferred to the microbiology laboratory. Swab samples were collected from the interior contents of individual eggs, and the swabs were inoculated into tryptic soy broths (TSB) and selenite-F broths in groups of five swabs in each media. All cultured media were incubated at 37 °C. After 24 h, the TSB cultures were streaked on MacConkey agars, but cul- tures in selenite-F were subcultured on Salmonella-Shigella agars. After 24-48 h incubation of the solid media, the plates were observed for colony formation. Identification of the isolated bacteria was performed using standard bac- teriological and biochemical procedures. Final confirmation of Salmonella in the isolates was undertaken using the slide serum agglutination test. Disc diffusion test on Muller- Hinton agar was used to determine the sensitivity of salmo- nellae isolates to antibacterial agents. Bacterial cultures of unhatched quail eggs showed 15.8 % contamination with Enterobacteriaceae. The isolation rate of Salmonella spp. from the unhatched quail eggs was 2.98 %. With respect to resistance of antimicrobial agents to Salmonella spp., all of the 10 antibiotics used (ampicillin, colistin, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, furazolidone, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin and tetracycline) showed 100 % susceptibility to gentamycin. Drug resistance to ampicillin, colistin, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, nali- dixic acid and tetracycline were 80, 10, 50, 10, 40, 80 and 80 %, respectively. There were no observed drug resistance among the salmonellae isolates to gentamycin, furazolidone and norfloxacin.

Isolation and Characterization of Multidrug Resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp from the Wastes of Hospital Patients and Poultry

Abstract: Total 20 Isolates Of E. Coli (12 From Poultry And 8 From Hospital) Were Isolated Randomly From Poultry Farm Waste And Chittagong Medical College Hospital (Cmch) Liquid Waste. We Found Tetracycline Resistant E. Coli (150µg/Ml) From The Poultry Farm Waste Sample And Ciprofloxacin Resistant Strain (3000µg/Ml) From Hospital Waste. Our Finding Suggests That Antibiotic Should Not Be Used In The Growth Promotion Of The Poultry Farm And The Use Of Antibiotics By The Respective Users Need To Be Monitored Properly In Order To Avoid The Emergence Of Antibiotic Resistance In Bacteria. Abbreviations CMCH= Chittagong Medical College Hospital; BP= British Pharmacopoeia; PCA= plate count agar; EMB= Eosine Methylene Blue; BSA= Bismuth Sulfate Agar; NA= Nutrient Agar; TSI= Triple Sugar Iodine; BGA= Brilliant Green Agar. Keywords: Multidrug resistant; hospital wastes; poultry wastes; Escherichia coli; Salmonella; ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. I. Introduction Microbes are widely spread out in nature. The presence of resistant bacteria in food and food producing animals has led to much more question and assumption about the transmission of these bacteria from animals to humans. The microbiological food safety is an increasing public health concern worldwide. Many epidemiological studies and research have implicated foods of animal origin as major vehicles associated with illnesses caused by Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella and Yersinia spp. [1]. Antibiotics have been used successfully in poultry for different purposes such as growth promotion, prophylaxis, or therapeutics. However, their use in animal production and human therapy has resulted in increased bacterial resistance to many [2]. As a result, chicken and meat can harbor antimicrobial-resistant strains that can be transmitted to humans. During the past two decades, severe outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness have occurred by food borne pathogenic Escherichia coli, especially 0157:H7 [3]. Escherichia coli are one of the common microbial floras of gastrointestinal tract of poultry and human being [4]. Although most isolates of Escherichia coli are nonpathogenic but they are considered as indicator of faecal contamination in food and about 10 to 15% of intestinal coliforms are opportunistic and pathogenic serotypes [5] and cause a variety of lesions in immunocompromised hosts as well as in poultry. Among the diseases some are often severe and sometimes lethal infections such as meningitis, endocarditis, urinary tract infection, septicemia, epidemic diarrhea of adults and children [6] and yolk sac infection, omphalitis, cellulitis, swollen head syndrome, coligranuloma, and colibacillosis [7]. Salmonella may cause three types of infection namely enteric fever (typhoid and paratyphoid fever), enterocolitis (gastroenteritis) and septicemia in human [8]. Typhoid fever is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries [9]. In the last two decades, the worldwide emergence of multi-resistant Salmonellae has led to the application of fluoroquinolones and broad-spectrum cephalosporins against

A Case of Child Facial Orbital Subperiosteal Abscess Arising from Lacrimal Sac Infection

A Case of Child Facial Orbital Subperiosteal Abscess Arising from Lacrimal Sac Infection

Evaluation of Fetal Lungs and Stomach in the Determination of Amniotic Sac Infection

This study evaluated neutrophils in fetal lung/stomach, in association with chorioamnionitis. Reports/slides from fetuses 13–24 weeks with a confirmed histologic diagnosis of placental chorioamnionitis were reviewed. There were 94 cases with no neutrophils in the lungs or stomach, and 106 with neutrophils in lungs, stomach, or both (53%). Thirteen percent showed neutrophils in the lungs only. Fetuses with no neutrophils were older than those with neutrophils in the stomach only (p = 0.008). Neutrophils in fetal lungs/stomach are common, and may confirm chorioamnionitis when the placenta is not available. Submission of gastric sections increases identification of chorioamnionitis.

Two Cases of Human Thelaziasis and Brief Review of Korean cases

The present study was performed to describe 2 cases of human thelaziasis (HT) which occurred in Gyeongsangnam- do and to briefly review the previously reported Korean cases. A 58-year old woman, residing in Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, came to Gyeongsang National University Hospital (GNUH) complaining of foreign body sensation and itching of the right eye in March 2000. Total 6 adult nematodes of Thelazia callipaeda (2 males and 4 females) were detected in her right eye. A 80-year old man, residing in Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, came to GNUH complaining of foreign body sensation, itching, and pain of the right eye in December 2007. A total of 5 worms (4 females and 1 degenerated) were removed from his right eye. We analyzed characteristics of the total 39 Korean HT cases reported to date, including the present 2 cases. Most of the cases (71.8%) occurred in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do before 2000, and 21 cases (53.8%) were males and 18 (46.2%) were females. The prevalence was higher in younger ages below 30 years (48.7%) than 31-60 years (41.0%) and over 61 years (10.3%). The seasonal prevalence showed a higher incidence in autumn (43.6%) than in other seasons. Most of the cases (94.9%) were conjunctival sac infections and only 2 (5.1%) were intraocular cases. The present 2 HT cases are the first reported cases in Gyeongsangnam-do. Some characteristics of Korean HT cases were analyzed.

Isolated Lesser Sac Infection: An Uncommon Cause of Abdominal Pain in Capd Patients

Peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is characterized by abdominal pain and dialysate leukocytosis. Abdominal abscesses have been reported in PD patients with relapsing peritonitis. We report here 3 cases of lesser sac infection in PD patients who had severe abdominal pain but not generalized or diffuse peritonitis.

The Anatomy and Pathology of the Lesser SAC: Implications for Peritoneal Dialysis

Pathological conditions involving the lesser sac of the peritoneal cavity in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) can pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Lack of appreciation of these challenges may delay diagnosis and compromise outcome. A case series by Li and colleagues in this issue of Peritoneal Dialysis International highlights the diagnostic challenges presented by lesser sac infection in PD patients, and in this accompanying commentary we discuss the development and anatomy of the lesser sac, as well as the pathological conditions and investigations relevant to the management of patients on PD.

Percutaneous Drainage of Aortic Aneurysm Sac Abscesses Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

To report preliminary experiences with the treatment of aortic aneurysm sac abscesses following prior endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) using computerized tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous drainage. Three patients aged 73 to 78 years with aortic aneurysm sac infections following prior EVAR, 2 of which were associated with aortoduodenal fistula, underwent CT-guided percutaneous drainage and catheter placement. One patient had complete resolution of the aortic aneurysm sac abscess following percutaneous drainage; 1 patient was stabilized to eventual extraanatomic bypass, graft explantation, and fistula repair; and 1 patient was temporized to debridement and fistula repair with endograft preservation. CT-guided percutaneous drainage may be a helpful therapy in selected patients for the treatment of aortic aneurysm sac infections following EVAR.

국내에서 분리한 Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale 균의 종란과 육계에서의 병원성

본 시험은 국내에서 분리한 Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale(OR) 병원성 세균이 부화중인 종란과 일반 육계에서 얼마만큼 병원성을 보이는지 알아보기 위하여 수행하였다. 첫 번째 9일령 부화란의 yolk sac에 국내에서 분리한 3종의 OR strain을 접종하여 12일동안 관찰한 결과, 66% 이상의 폐사율이 관찰되어 높은 병원성이 인정되었다. 두 번째로 3주령 일반 육계를 대상으로 5가지 다른 공격접종법[Intratracheal, Intravenous, Intramuscular, Aerosol, Newcastle Disease Virus(NDV)와 혼합 Aerosol]으로 접종한 다음 병원성을 관찰하였다. NDV와 OR균을 동시에 분무 접종한 계군에서만 특이적인 임상증상인 침울, 기침, 안면 종대와 함께 부검시 치즈양 또는 요구르트와 비슷한 염증성 삼출물이 기낭에 관찰되었다. 조직학적으로도 기낭상피세포의 변성과 탈락, 대식세포와 다형태성 관립구의 침윤, 부종 등의 기낭염이 확인되었으며, 이들 기낭을 이용한 면역 조직 화학적 염색법을 적용한 결과 다량의 OR균의 항원이 검출되었다. 그러나 OR균만 단독 처리한 닭에서는 일시적이고 경미한 조직학적 병변만이 관찰되었다. 결론적으로 NDV가 OR균의 감염에 따른 임상 증상과 병리조직학적 병변 유발에 주요한 역할을 하는 것으로 판단된다. Field strains of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (OR) were tested on their virulence in specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs and 3-week-old broilers. When infected with three different OR isolates (OR-161, OR-240 and OR-295) through yolk sac infection route, all strains appeared to be highly pathogenic with responsible mortality 66% and 100% within 12 days post infection (DPI). To test the virulence of OR in the commercial broilers, 3 week-old broilers were grouped depends on the inoculation route of OR isolate (OR-295) through five different infection routes; group 1 (IT: intratracheal), group 2 (IM: intramuscular), group 3 (IV: intravenous), group 4 (aerosol) and group 5 [Mixed: NDV (LaSota)+OR aerosol]. Within 5 to 7 days after inoculation, only broilers given NDV+OR were slightly depressed and coughing, and had mild facial redness. Grossly, foamy and yellow-white yogurt like exudate in the air sacs, predominantly in the abdominal air sacs was present. In histology, infiltration of the air sac epithelium and lamina propria by macrophage and polymorphonuclear granulocytes was seen with cell debris and inflammatory cells, correlated with the presence of OR antigen, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Field strains of OR were able to induce high mortality in the embryonated chicken eggs, whereas broilers were less susceptible to OR infection. Interestingly, in the absence of NDV infection, the four groups of OR single infection only different route showed minimal and temporary microscopic air sac lesions. Thus, Newcastle disease virus (LaSota strain) showed triggering effects on the OR infection in chickens.

Impaired intestinal villi growth in broiler chicks with unhealed navels

By the time of hatching, the residual yolk sac (RYS) should be completely internalized into the body cavity of the chick via the navel and the navel should be closed (healed). After hatching, the RYS contents are used for general growth and development including growth of the small intestine. This research examined the relationship between the presence of navel buttons (an unhealed navel covered with a scab) and the RYS weight and intestinal villi height of broiler chicks from 0 to 5 d posthatching. Hatching eggs containing live embryos were collected at 18, 19, and 20 d of incubation (n = 5/d). At 21 d of incubation, chicks with healed navels (H) and chicks with navel buttons smaller than 3 mm in diameter (B) were obtained (n = 30/group). The BW and RYS of embryos (n = 5/d) and chicks (n = 5/treatment per day) were weighed. Samples of the small intestine (duodenum and ileum) were processed for histological evaluation to measure villi height. The trial was replicated in time 4 wk after the first collection using eggs and chicks from the same flock. Data were analyzed using SAS PROC MIXED (P < or = 0.05). No significant differences in BW were observed between H and B chicks. Average RYS weight and percentage RYS were greater in B than in H chicks. The interaction of age and navel condition significantly influenced both duodenal and ileal villi heights. On most of the days, duodenal and ileal villi were shorter in B than in H chicks. The presence of small navel buttons at hatching is indicative of impaired absorption of the RYS content and decreased intestinal villi growth. Further research on the relationship between navel buttons, intestinal physiology, and yolk sac infections is advised.