Proliferation of lung macrophages in acute fatal viral infections in chickens.

Marked proliferation of macrophages engulfing yellow pigments and fragmented erythrocytes were seen in the air capillaries and blood capillaries of the lungs of chickens affected with acute fatal viral hydropericardium syndrome, highly pathogenic infectious bursal disease, and highly pathogenic avian influenza. Proliferation of lung macrophages was associated with systemic proliferation of macrophages. Acute destruction of erythrocytes in these infections may have induced systemic hyperplasia of macrophages. The acute and severe proliferation of lung macrophages may cause acute respiratory dysfunction and be one of the factors inducing mortality in infected chickens. This syndrome may be categorized as "virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome."