A clinical evaluation of chickens inoculated with several avian adenovirus isolants.

Clinical-chemistry values were determined in young specific-pathogen-free single-comb White Leghorn chickens, both uninoculated and inoculated intra-abdominally at one day old with one of several avian adenovirus isolants. Clinical values for plasma proteins and enzymes indicative of liver function were determined at 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days postinoculation. Plasma glutamic oxalacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities were elevated in the virus-inoculated birds, along with decreased albumin levels suggesting liver necrosis, Subsequent histopathologic evaluations confirmed hepatic necrosis in the virus-inoculated groups, demonstrating the potential value of clinical-chemistry assay techniques for diagnosing subclinical disease associated with avian adenoviruses.