Occurrence of Hjarre’s disease (Coligranuloma) in adult layer chicken

Coligranuloma (Hjarre’s disease) was diagnosed in 6 adult layer birds of Rajasree breed chicken during routine necropsy conducted over a period of one year. Grossly, nodular granulomatous nodules were observed on mesentery and intestine which were hard, yellow and particularly concentrated at ceacum. The histopathological sections (H&E) of nodular lesions revealed typical granulomas with center comprised of pink stained necrotic debris surrounded by a zone of mixed macrophages, heterophils, lymphocytic population and fibrous tissue proliferation. Bacterial isolation from liver showed colonies of E. coli on Mac Conkey’s. The pure colonies E. coli were streaked on of Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar showed metallic green sheen which is characteristic feature of E. coli.