Occurrence of Hydropericardium-Hepatitis Syndrome of Baeksemi and Broiler Raised in Korea

The occurrence of HHS was confirmed for the first time in Korea from chickens submitted for diagnosis to our laboratory from broiler and baeksemi farms. Clinical signs included depression, inappetence, ruffled feathers and a increase in mortality. At necropsy, severe hydropericardium and hepatic necrosis was founded characteristically and the most remarkable microscopic changes were seen in the liver. These included basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes, massive hemorrhages and necrosis in the liver parenchyma. We could also identify fowl adeno-virus(FAV) by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and electro-microscopic confirmation. Abbreviation: HHS=hydropericardium hepatitis syndrome, EM=electron microscopy, FAV=fowl adenovirus, PCR=polymerase chain reaction.