Loading...
Theses
Browse
9 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Pathology and Host Immune Response in Pigeons Affected with Newcastle Disease Virus(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu (J&K), 2023-03-27) Andrabi, Syedah Asma; Nashiruddullah,NawabWith the intent to study the prevalence and pathology of Newcastle disease in pigeons and backyard fowl flocks, localities around Ranbir Singh Pura and Jammu city were investigated for outbreaks of the disease from March 2021 to September 2022. The disease was suspected in sixteen pigeon (Columba livia domestica) flocks and five flocks of backyard fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus), with 89.66% and 100% morbidity and approximately 81.8% and 91.5% mortality rates, respectively. Chiefly neurological signs in pigeons, and predominantly respiratory and/or enteric clinical signs in fowls were recorded. Gross lesions in pigeon were subdural haemorrhages, meningeal congestion or haemorrhages in the brain stem and lungs but rarely in the proventriculus. In fowls, gross lesions were mainly manifested by vascular derangement, causing haemorrhages on proventriculus and enteric mucosa and corresponding necrotizing enteritis. Haemorrhages were evident in most of the organs of the respiratory tract, while mild congestion of meninges was noticeable in few birds. Microscopic lesions in both pigeons and fowl validated the gross lesions typical of Newcastle Disease, pertaining to the neurotropic form in pigeons and viscerotropic form in fowls. Preliminary diagnosis was also based on Haemagglutination assay showing 78.7% positivity with clinical samples. Confirmation of the disease in all clinical samples and infected allantoic fluids was done using Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) targeting a partial Fusion protein gene. Six isolates, three from each pigeon and fowl ND outbreaks from different geospatial locations of the region were sequenced and allotted accession numbers from GenBank. Sequence comparison of isolates showed five of the six isolates with close homology (99.6-100%) to each other. Deducted amino acid sequence at the Fusion protein cleavage site showed a 112R-R-Q-K-R*F117 velogenic motif for all pigeon and fowl isolates. Biological characterization also showed velogenic pathotypic traits with indicators like Mean Death Time (MDT <60 hrs), and pronounced cytopathic effect (CPE) in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the three pigeon isolates and two fowl isolates clustered within genotype II, and one of the fowl isolate clustered with sub genotype VII.1.1. Experimental trial was conducted in 45 healthy pigeons divided into three groups consisting of pigeons inoculated with genotype II NDV pigeon isolate (Group-I) and genotype VII NDV fowl isolate (Group-II), respectively via intranasal and intraocular route. Control group was mock infected with PBS. Signs, gross and histopathological lesions were recorded on 1st, 3rd and 7th day post infection along with mRNA expression of selected innate immune proteins (Pattern Recognition Receptors( PRR’s): TLR-7, TLR-3 and RIG-1), anti-viral inflammatory cytokines/ chemokines (CCL-5, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-6 and IL-1β) and apoptotic factors (BCL-2). Progressive signs and lesions were apparent in both the groups after 3 dpi. Lesions were predominantly associated with nervous system in Group-I birds and respiratory and enteric system in-Group-II birds. In general, increased mRNA expression of PRRs was evident in both groups; and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ) and chemokines (CCL-5) in the spleen, lung and brain was fairly up-regulated as compared to the mock-infected control birds in both the groups, signifying a robust innate and anti-viral inflammatory response. Delayed expression of BCL-2, an anti-apoptotic factor was evident in lungs while early expression in spleen in both the groups. Strain homology, unique mutations and establishment of experimental infection in heterologous host could suggest the possible cross-transmission potential between avian species and emerging threats of circulating ND viruses in the region.ThesisItem Open Access Clinico-pathomorphological changes and their amelioration by Alstonia scholaris in experimentally induced Salmonella Gallinarum infection in broiler chickens(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu (J&K), 2022-05-17) Rani, Minakshi; Sood, Dr. ShilpaThe present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Alstonia scholaris in ameliorating clinico-pathomorphological changes in experimentally induced Salmonella Gallinarum. A total of 120, one day old birds were allocated to four groups with 30 birds each. Group I served as control. Extract of A. scholaris was administered @ 200 mg/L in water to group III and IV birds via drinking water. At three weeks of age birds in group II and IV were challenged with S. Gallinarum 2 X 109 CFU. Sequential sacrifice of the 6 birds from each group was carried out at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days post infection. Blood was collected for hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress studies and after sacrifice samples from liver, kidney, brain, heart, lung, spleen were collected for histopathological studies. Mortality was 43.33% in group II and 20% in group IV. Significant decrease in the values of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count and increase in total leucocyte count and percent heterophils values were, recorded in group II birds. Significant alterations in oxidative stress parameters were seen in liver, kidney, intestine and blood in group II. The values of total protein, albumin and alkaline phosphatase were lower but that of globulin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen were higher in group II as compared to group I. Enlargement, mottling, multifocal necrosis and congestion with heterophilic infiltration in liver and spleen along with congestion, hemorrhages, necrosis and inflammation of intestine, brain, kidney, heart and lungs were recorded in Salmonella infected birds. Administration of A. scholaris extract significantly ameliorated changes in hematobiochemical indices, oxidative stress parameters and gross as well as histological in Salmonella infected group.ThesisItem Open Access Pathological studies on ionophore toxicity in broilers and its amelioration by Vitamin C(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu (J&K), 2022-03-31) Sharma, Satuti; Sharma, Satuti; Sood, Dr. Shilpa; Sood, Dr. ShilpaThe present study was undertaken to study the effects of maduramicin and salinomycin toxicity on clinico-hematological, biochemical as well as oxidative stress parameters, pathomorphology, and immunologicalprofile of broiler birds and their amelioration by Vitamin C administration. A total of 96, one week old birds, were divided into 6 groups with 16 birds in each group. Group I served as control, group II birds were given Vitamin C @200mg/litre in water, group III birds were given maduramicin @8 ppm in feed, group IV birds were given maduramicin@8ppm in feed along with vitamin C @200mg/ litre in water, group V birds were treated with salinomycin @120 ppm in feed and group VI was treated withsalinomycin@120ppm in feed alongside Vitamin C @ 200mg/litre of water. 8 birds from each group were sacrificed at 2nd week post exposure (WPE) and again at 4th WPE to ionophores. Clinical signs exhibited by birds during the four-week treatment period were recorded. After two and four week treatment period, blood from all birds was collected. Group III and V birds started showing clinical signs after one WPE. There was anorexia, dullness, depression, ataxia, drooping of feathers, diarrhea, leg weakness and lethargy. Group IV and VI showed no clinical signs except decrease in body weight. Group III and IV each showed 6.25% mortality where as group V showed 12.5% mortality. Maduramicin and salinomycin feeding at toxic doses caused significant decrease in growth rate as shown by decrease in body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and increase in FCR in comparison to control. Also, emaciation, dullness, depression, in coordination in movement, drooping feathers, diarrhoea, leg weakness and lethargy were observed in ionophore only fed groups. Anemia was also seen as reflected by significant decrease in Hb, PCV, TEC, MCV, MCH, MCHC values. Also there was leukocytopeniawithlymphopenia and heterophilia. Levels of total protein, albumin were significantly decreased and creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase were elevated. Maduramicin and salinomycin induced significant oxidative stress in liver, kidney, intestine, brain and blood as indicated by increase in SOD, CAT, GPx and LPO concentrations. Ionophore toxicity led to severe pathological lesions including congestion, haemorrhage, degeneration and necrosis, inflammation in heart, skeletal muscle, gizzard, liver, kidney and brain. Spleen and bursa revealed significant lymphoid depletion. Furthermore, significant deficits were seen in both humoral and cell mediated immunological responses in birds fed on toxic concentrations of ionophores. Co-administration of vitamin C along with maduramicin or salinomycin caused significant amelioration in ionophore induced toxicity as seen by reduction in clinico-hematobiochemical alterations, oxidative stress, gross as well as histo-pathological lesions and improvement in immunological responses in broiler birds.ThesisItem Open Access “ETIO-PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON RESPIRATORY TRACT AFFECTIONS OF BROILERS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ESCHERICHIA COLI”(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu (J&K), 2021-12-12) Singh, Prabjot; Sood, ShilpaEtio-pathomorphology of respiratory tract infections of broiler chickens in and around Jammu was determined. 150 flocks from different localities in Jammu were surveyed which included 55 organised and 95 unorganised poultry farms. 19 (34.5%) organized farms and 30 (31.57%) unorganised farms showed presence of a disease with respiratory involvement but E. coli was isolated from 17 organised (89.47%) and 23 unorganised (71.6%) farms. In nutshell, 32.6% of surveyed farms had respiratory tract infection in which 81.6% had an E. coli involvement. 30% and 31.35% of birds in organized and unorganized farms were found to be affected with E. coli infection. In the monsoon season, 24.99%, in the post monsoon 12.36%, in winter season, 49.99% and in summer season, 12.65% cases by E. coli were reported. Lungs were involved in 61.04% cases, 41.13% cases showed tracheal involvement, whereas 84.20% of cases showed air sac abnormalities. Gross lesions in lungs were congestion, consolidation, nodules and fibrin on lung surface. Consolidation, nodules and fibrin on the surface of lungs were recorded in 19.8%, 8.87% and 23.76% cases. Microscopically, congestion, haemorrhage, edema, necrotizing pneumonia and serofibrinous pneumonia seen in 75.18%, 36.52%, 79.43%, 10.28% and 13.12% lungs respectively. 85.26% tracheal samples were congested, haemorrhage was seen in 17.90% samples, 53.69% samples had exudate and caseous plug was seen in 13.79% samples. Grossly, a total of 389 air sacs were found to be thickened appearing wet, hazy or cloudy. The thickening was mild, moderate and severe in 26.48%, 40.36% 33.16% cases respectively. Among the grossly thickened airsacs, 184 showed suppurative 47.3% and 52.70% had fibrinous inflammation.ThesisItem Open Access Pathological and Molecular Diagnosis of Newcastle Disease in Poultry and Pigeon in Jammu Region(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (J&K), 2018-10-24) Chowdhary, Mehroon; Dr. NawabNashiruuddullahThepresent study was doneto find the occurrence and pathology of Newcastle disease and characterization of the paramyxovirus in poultry and pigeons of Jammu region.Outbreaks amongst rural backyard poultry, commercial broiler farms and pigeon coops from August 2017 to July 2018 were attended.Disease was suspected in two flocks of backyard fowl (Gallus gallusdomesticus)showing100% morbidity and 86% mortality around RS Pura and Jammu; and in six flocks of domesticated pigeons (Columba liviadomestica) exhibiting 21.68% morbidity and 14.16% mortality around RS Pura. In fowls, principally respiratory and/or enteric clinical manifestation were observed; while in pigeons, low mortality and predominantly neurological signs were seen,and disease was probably sub-clinical in many. Gross lesions were primarily due to vascular injury, withenteric haemorrhages,haemorrhagic tracheitis and petechiaesometimes observed in other organs. No gross lesions were observed in the nervous tissue except congestion of meninges in some birds. Microscopic lesions were typical for ND and corroborating the gross lesions. Haemorrhages, mononuclear infiltration and lymphoid depletion werecommon. Lesions in nervous tissue were more pronounced in pigeons and represented focal gliosis, loss of Nissl substances and neuronal degeneration, satellitosis and neuronophagia. Consistent presence of vascular endothelial hypertrophy and perivascular oedema was noteworthy. In some cases, vacuolation was observed in some Purkinjee cells together with the possible presence of intracytoplasmic inclusions. Both fowl and pigeon isolates prepared from cloacal swabs, tissue lysate or infected allantoic fluid could haemagglutinate (HA) chicken erythrocytes. All serum collected from diseased pigeons were found to inhibit haemagglutination, confirming ND with circulating antibody titres higher than >1/16, however haemagglutination inhibition (HI) could not be done for fowls. Molecular confirmation was achieved in all clinical samples and infected allantoic fluids by amplifying a 534 bp product by Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) targeting a partial Fusion protein gene that includes the cleavage site routinely used for virulence characterization. Sequences were submitted in GenBank. Both fowl and pigeon isolates could be grown in chicken embryonated eggs (CEE) that resulted in embryo mortality and the allantoic fluid could be harvested for virus detection. Both fowl and pigeon virus was titrated to find the infectivity by calculating the 50 percent Embryo Infectious Dose (EID50), which was found to be 10-8.68 and 10-7.20 for fowl and pigeon isolates respectively.Virulence characterization was done by calculating the Mean Death Time (MDT) in CEE and found to be 51.43 h (Velogenic; <60 h) and 92.00 (Lentogenic; >90 h) for fowl and pigeon isolates respectively. The Intra-Cerebral Pathogenicity Index (ICPI) carried out in day-old chicks was found to be 1.51 (Velogenic; >0.7) and 0.43 (Lentogenic; <0.7) for fowl and pigeon isolates respectively. Deduction of amino acid sequence at the Fusion protein cleavage site showed a112R-R-R-K-R*F117 velogenic motif for the fowl isolate, and 112G-R-Q-G-R*L117 lentogenic motif for the pigeon isolate. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the fowl isolate clustered within genotype XIII, and pigeon isolate clustered with genotype II and vaccine strains of APMV-1, and thatboth isolates were found to be 84.1% related.ThesisItem Open Access OCCURRENCE OF ANIMAL NEOPLASMS IN JAMMU BASED ON PATHOMORPHOLOGY AND ARGYROPHILIC NUCLEOLAR ORGANISER REGION (AGNOR) COUNTS(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, 2017) Sharma, Satuti; Rahman, ShafiqurThe Present study was conducted in the Division of Veterinary Pathology, F.V.Sc and A.H, Jammu from the month of January, 2016 to January, 2017 and samples were collected from TVCC, F.V.Sc & AH., SKUAST-J, R.S. Pura and CVH, Talab Tillo, Jammu. Out of 55 collected samples, 44 cases were confirmed to be Neoplastic in origin and remaining 11 cases were found to be non neoplastic conditions. The incidence of nonplastic conditions was studied on the basis of age, sex, system wise and classified and diagnosed on the basis of gross and histopathological examination and AgNOR counts. The overall occurrences of animal neoplasm were 80% comprising of 36.36% benign and 63.64% malignant tumours. The occurrence of neoplasms in canines and bovines was 79.31% (23/29) and 80.76% (21/26), respectively. In canines, the highest risk of development was observed at the age group pf 10-12 years and lowest at 0-3 years of age group in both sexes. However, in bovines, highest risk of development was observed at the age group of 0-3 years and lowest at 15 years and above age group animals. In both species of animals, the frequency of neoplastic conditions and malignancy was more in female than male animals. In canines, tumour of skin and soft tissues showed highest occurrence (56.52%) followed by mammary gland (26.08%), genital system (8.70%), bone (4.35%) and lymphoid organ (4.35%). In bovines, skin and soft tissues showed highest occurrence (52.38%) followed by eye (33.33%), mammary gland (9.52%) and the tumour of alimentary system (4.77%). In canines, one each case of bone (i.e. osteosarcoma) and spleen (i.e. splenic lymphoma) was observed. Among the genital system, one each case of tumour of male genial organ i.e. sertoli cell tumour and female germinal organ i.e. ovarian adenocarcinoma was observed. Non case of bone, spleen and germinal system of bovine was recorded in the present study. Among mammary gland tumours, 6 cases in canines and two cases in bovines was observed. In bovines, one case of equlis and 6 cases of ocular squamous cell carcinoma the second highest number of tumour after skin and soft tissues was observed.ThesisItem Open Access OCCURRENCE, PATHOBIOLOGY AND DIAGNOSIS OF AVIPOXVIRUS INFECTION IN BIRDS AROUND JAMMU(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, 2017) Sharma, Bhavesh; Nassiruddullah, NawabA total of 610 fowls, 998 pigeons and 70 turkey birds (April 2016 to May 2017) were screened for the Avipox infection from different parts of Jammu region. The overall prevalence of avian pox in fowl was 18.52%, 45.36% in pigeons and 57.14% in turkey birds. The mortality rate was 41.96% in young fowls, 45.36% in young pigeons, whereas 20.00% mortality was seen in adult turkeys while 100% was recorded in poults. Both cutaneous and diphtheritic forms of the disease was seen in fowl, pigeons and turkey birds. The wet form was particularly prevalent in young birds only. The lesions were conspicuous by presence of nodular or pock lesions on skin. However, the wet form was not easily discernible, especially when unaccompanied by skin lesions which otherwise prompted a closer inquiry. The oral lesions in the wet form were characterized by small, slightly elevated, white opaque patches that often coalesce together to form a diphtheritic membrane. This could often extend to the upper respiratory tract and crop. A confirmatory diagnosis was made by PCR amplification by targeting a highly conserved P4b gene amongst all Avipoxvirus and also conserved across all present isolates in the study. The amplified product was detected in all samples yielding a predicted 578 bp product. Conventional diagnosis of Avipoxvirus was done by crush smear preparations which revealed red A-Type intra-cytoplasmic inclusions in epithelial cells, and proved to be a very rapid diagnostic technique from direct clinical samples. Elementary bodies (Borell body) were demonstrable arranged particularly around the periphery of the inclusions. The putative Avipoxvirus isolates from Fowlpox and Pigeonpox were also inoculated on the chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) of 10-12 day old chicken embryonated eggs for three passage levels. The Fowlpox isolates were associated with oedema and haemorrhages in the initial passage, which developed by third passage to small, round, raised circular white lesions or ‘pocks’, of varying morphology. Whereas, with Pigeonpox isolates, pock lesions were sometimes visible from first passage itself, which developed to larger pocks with focal areas of necrosis, oedema and opaque thickening on CAM through third passage. Pathobiology of isolates showed that Fowlpox and Pigeonpox isolates readily grew on chicken embryonic CAM, with the Pigeonpox isolate showing earlier and aggravated lesions. The CAM lesions were confirmed by PCR. Histopathology was also employed to study the different skin and diphtheritic lesions from affected birds (fowl, pigeons, turkeys) and infected CAM. The underlying tissue response revealed varying degrees of hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the epithelium with associated inflammatory response. Skin and diphtheritic lesions showed inflammatory changes consisting of swollen, pale keratinocytes with vacuolated cytoplasm and eosinophilic A-type intra-cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (Bollinger body). These inclusions were very conspicuous and often filled up the entire swollen cell, resulting in its degeneration. The microscopic lesions in fowl was particularly severe in naked neck fowls with atypical connective tissue proliferation in the dermis and presence of epitheloid cell islands and deposition of large, globoid, hyalinised materials. In PGPV inoculated CAM, massive proliferation of fibroblasts, presence of epithelial cell islands containing intra-cytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions were marked in the mesoderm. CAM lesions in Fowlpox were milder with no inclusion demonstrable in observed specimens. The PCR products of P4b gene were sequenced commercially and aligned after BLAST search from published sequences in the public library. It was observed that Fowlpox and Turkeypox isolates from Jammu were related to other Fowlpox sequences, while Pigeonpox isolate was related to other Pigeonpox sequences. Experimental infection for detection of host specificity of FWPV and PGPV isolates in reciprocal infection in fowl and pigeons were conducted in pigeon squabs, and fowl chicks showed host specificity of FWPV to fowls and PGPV to pigeons, with characteristic development of lesions. The results indicate that the FWPV and PGPV isolates differ pathobiologically and probably are different at species level. The lesions were also confirmed by PCR.ThesisItem Open Access ETIO-PATHOMORPHOLOGY OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF BROILER CHICKENS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF JAMMU(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, 2017) Sangha, Navrose; Sood, ShilpaThe present study was carried out to study etio-pathomorphology of gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens where disease occurrence was reported. 200 flocks were surveyed in different areas in and around Jammu. Occurrence of colibacillosis (24.16%) was maximum followed by that of infectious bursal disease (IBD) (7.13%), omphalitis (6.79%), salmonellosis (5.36%), non specific enteritis (4.29%), coccidiosis (2.22%), haemorrhages in proventriculus (1.67%), gout (1.44%), nephro-hepatotoxicity (1.42%), ascites (1.14), fatty liver syndrome (1.03%), caseous nodules in lungs/ suspected brooder pneumonia (0.75%) and non specific liver ailments (0.50%). The maximum mortality was caused by colibacillosis (8.33%). Characteristic lesions in colibacillosis were fibrinous pericarditis, airsacculitis and perihepatitis. Isolates of E.coli belonged to serogroup O1, O22, O37, O114, O118 and O149. Congestion, necrotic foci and bronze discolouration in liver were seen in birds affected with salmonellosis. IBD cases had paint brush haemorrhages on thigh and breast muscles along with enlarged, haemorrhagic, edematous bursa with necrosis of follicles and infiltration of heterophils in interfollicular areas. In suspected cases of Newcastle disease or avian influenza, haemorrhages in proventriculus were found. In cases of coccidiosis, haemorrhages in the small intestine and caecal tonsil were found. Further, degenerating and necrotic intestinal epithelium harboring coccidian life-cycle stnges were observed. cphro-hcpatotoxieily, degenerative and necrotic chnnges were seen in kidney nnd liver. Out of 632 necropsied birds. intc tine were found to be affected in maximum number of birds (80.22%) fo llowed by liver (71.83%), proventriculus (21.36%), gizzard (8.86%). pancreas (8 .38%) and oesophagus (3.00%). Lesions in intestine were consistent 'with presence of different forms of enteri tis viz., acute which was mostly catarrhal, necrotic and chronic. In liver, congestion, degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes, hyperplasia of bile duct epithelium, proliferation of fibrous connective tissue and infilt ration of inflammatory cells in portal triad areas were recorded. Hepatitis was either acute fibrinous , suppurative or chronic type. Proventriculus revealed congestion, presence of thick mucoid exudate over mucosa, haemorrhages, necrotic mucosa and infiltration of inflammatory cells mainly heterop hi ls and few MNCs. In gizzard, haemorrhages ulcerations, ventric ulitis and necrosis of smooth muscle fibers with infiltration of lymphocytes were observed. Pancreas revealed congestion, haemorrhages, hyperplasia of pancreatic ducts, degeneration and necrosis of acinar cells. Acute pancreatitis characterised by degeneration, necrosis and infiltration of heterophilis was also noticed. Oesophagus reveal ed congestion, oedema along with infiltration of heterophils in sub mucosa around the oesophageal glands.ThesisItem Open Access PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE DOMESTIC PIGEONS (COLUMBA LIVIA) IN JAMMU REGION(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, 2017) Mehmood, Syad; Nashiruddullah, NawabIn the present study, a total of approximately 3980 domestic pigeons belonging to various pigeon fanciers were screened for clinical cases of disease affection. Twelve areas were selected for the survey, out of which ten were in the RS Pura sector and two were within the Jammu city limits. Out of the population of pigeons observed, approximately 608 birds were found to be clinically affected with some form of clinical disease or other, based on flock history, clinical examination and laboratory investigation. The overall estimate of disease prevalence amongst pigeons was observed at 15.28%, with the highest prevalence in Banota area and least in Ranbir Singh Pura town area. Mortality was accounted only for birds that were accessed for necropsy examination and 60 pigeons were necropsied with overall mortality of 1.51% between July 2015-June 2016. The predominant cause of death diagnosed was due to Haemoproteus columbae induced pneumonia and hepatitis (45.00%); Newcastle disease (20.00%); mycotoxicosis (13.33%); aspergillosis (8.33%); traumatic injury (6.67%); pigeonpox (3.33%); Salmonellosis and colibacillosis (1.67% each). Haemoproteosis (45.00%; 27/60) caused a high mortality amongst pigeons with severe and consistent hepatic and pneumonic lesions. Lung and liver tissue revealed various stages of protozoan parasite development and apparently was target organs of schizogony within vascular endothelium and accompanied by severe vascular and tissue reaction. A typical round cell granuloma could be seen around blood vessels. Newcastle disease (ND) infection was manifested predominantly in a severe neurological form with characteristic malacia and demyelination of brain parenchyma. Satellitosis, microgliosis and neuronophagia were also seen. Serum samples collected from 10 out of 12 affected pigeons were found positive by haemagglutination inhibition test with high titres (1/32 to 1/64) of circulating antibodies. Two outbreaks of mycotoxicosis (13.33%; 8/60) were suspected amongst pigeons, with typical hepatic degeneration and lesions. Concurrently, renal degenerative lesions were also seen. Aspergillus flavus could be isolated and differentiated from feed grains. Tissue and grain samples were positive for Aflatoxin B1, while as citrinin and ochratoxin was also found in the feedgrains. Presence of aflatoxin in feeds and fungal cultures were also detected by UV light. In an outbreak of aspergillosis (8.33%; 5/60) severe granulomatous pneumonia and systemic affections of tissues with typical nodules were seen. Microscopically, both an encapsulated lymphohistiocytic granulomatous pneumonia and a nonencapsulating invasive infection were seen. Sporulating elements invading the bronchial mucosa and lumen of the airways was typical. Aspergillus fumigatus organsims were also isolated from the lesions. Four birds were found to have died due to fatal traumatic (6.67%; 4/60) and haemorrhagic injury caused by infighting and killed by raptors. Pigeon pox (3.33%; 2/60) was easily recognizable with scabby lesions on the unfeathered parts of the. Two mortalities amongst young birds with both cutaneous and severe diptheritic form of the disease were observed. Typical lesion was characterized by ballooning degeneration of keratinocytes containing eosinophilic A-type intracytoplasmatic inclusions. Isolation of Pigeon pox virus revealed pock lesions on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) on 14th day developing chicken embryo. Colibacillosis (1.67%; 1/60) and salmonellosis (1.67%; 1/60) was diagnosed in one bird fatalities each and confirmed with isolation of bacteria, biochemical tests and morphological characteristics. Both live and dead pigeons were examined externally revealed numerous ectoparasites and as many as six species of ectoparasites were collected from the pigeons or their lofts. They included the chewing lice Columbicola columbae, small pigeon louse Campanulotes bidentatus, pigeon flatfly or louse fly Pseudolynchia canariensis, mite Psoroptes sp. and a flea tentatively identified as Ctenocephalides sp. Besides, there were many mosquito and fly species which were not identified. Gastrointestinal parasites included the tapeworm Raillietina sp. (25%; 15/60), the large roundworm Ascaridia sp. (5%; 3/60) and the hairworm Capillaria sp. (6.67%; 4/60 Besides, Eimeria sp (58.3%; 35/60), Cryptosporidia sp. (50.0%; 5/10) and Haemoproteus columbae gametocytes (26.6%; 8/30) were recorded. Both macrogametocytes, microgametocytes, immature stages, extra-corpuscular forms could be detected in the blood. Haematological studies of Haemoproteus infected and non-infected pigeons revealed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in Hb, PCV and eosinophilia in diseased birds. Twenty-four pooled faecal samples examined from six select villages of Jammu district in the four recognized seasons (Monsoon, post-monsoon, winter, summer) revealed presence of different parasitic ova with Ascarid eggs least prevalent whereas, Eimeria sp. Was highest. Capillaria eggs were relatively abundant with no particular seasonal prevalence. Raellietina sp. Was the most common metazoan enteric infestation but its observed prevalence apparently was lowered in the peak summers.