Causative agent 
- EDS virus, family Adenoviridae



Differential diagnosis 
- Newcastle disease
- Infectious bronchitis
- Avian encephalomyelitis
- Mycoplasma gallisepticum/M.synoviae infection



1. History taking 
- Chickens of all ages are susceptible
- Broiler breeders and heavy breeds producing
  brown eggs are more affected than white-egg
  producers



2. Clinical examination 
- Laying of abnormal eggs followed by production
  of thin shelled, soft-shelled or shell-less eggs
- Drop in egg production or in a failure to peak
- Affected birds remain healthy



3. Necropsy 
- Atrophic ovaries
- Edematous and swollen uterine fold with exudate
  in the lumen



4. Histopathological obersvation 
- Degeneration and desquamation of epithelial cells,
  atrophy of uterine glands and infiltration of
  heterophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells in the
  uterine villi
- lntranuclear inclusion bodies in epithelial cells of
  pouch shell gland, oviduct, uterus, isthmus and
  vaginal gland

5. Serological test 
- HI test
- AGID test
- SN test



6. Antigen detection 
Specimen : cryostat section of uterus, isthmus
Method    : FA test and fluorescence observation
                  in the epithelial cells and desquamated
                  cells of the uterus and isthmus



7. Virus isolation 
Specimen : oviduct, uterus, pharynx and feces
Method    : DK , DEF CEL or CK inoculation and
                  CPE observation (rounding, enlarged,
                  refractile with thickened walls and
                  granular contents)



8. Virus identification 
- HA and Hl test

Control 
- Obtain chickens from uninfected flocks
- Hygienic precautions
- Ducks or geese should be segregated from
  chickens
- Vaccination with inactivated vaccine