Necrotizing pancreatitis and gizzard erosion associated with adenovirus infection in chickens.

Cases of focal necrotic pancreatitis and gizzard erosion in chickens are reported. Intranuclear inclusion bodies were seen in necrotic pancreatic acinar cells and necrotic epithelial cells of the gizzard, and electron microscopy demonstrated virus particles in affected gizzard epithelium. Adenovirus antigens were detected immunohistochemically in these intranuclear inclusion bodies. These findings suggest that the necrotizing pancreatitis and gizzard erosion were associated with adenovirus infection.