Spontaneously Occurring Lymphoproliferative Disease in Ducks

A naturally occurring lymphoproliferative disease was observed in a domestic flock of Muscovy ducks. Gross lesions were observed only in one of three ducks necropsied (in the small intestine). Microscopic lesions consisted of mononuclear cell infiltrates composed primarily of reticuloendothelial cells, mature lymphocytes, and plasma cells in livers, spleens, small intestines, peripheral nerves, and brains. Antibodies to reticuloendotheliosis virus were detected in sera of four ducks, whereas all six ducks examined lacked antibodies to Marek's disease virus.