Alteration of Liver and Kidney Specific Biomarkers in Indigenous Ducks Infected with Duck Plague Virus

Abstract

Duck plague is an economically devastating viral disease prevalent in ducks which causes massive loss of duck populations annually. High morbidity and mortality are characteristic of the infection and outbreaks. Duck plague is reported from time to time from different parts of our country including Assam. The infected ducks manifest clinical signs like photophobia, partially or completely closing of eyelids, excessive thirst, nasal discharge, anorexia, drooped plumage, ataxia, diarrhea with soiled vents along with tremors in the head, neck and body. Present study was aimed to evaluate the deleterious effects of duck plague virus on liver and kidney condition by estimating liver and kidney specific biomarkers from indigenous ducks, namely Pati, Nageswari and Cinahanh of Assam from different agroclimatic zones. Study revealed significant increase of AST, ALT, ALP, uric acid and creatinine which is indicative of disruption of healthy function of liver and Kidney due to duck plague virus infection.