Fig. 3

Histopathological analysis and scoring of jejunal NE lesions in broiler chickens (n = 20/group). A Represents the normal intestinal mucosa (0 score), B shows mild, focal, acute necrosis of intestinal villi (1 score), C shows moderate, multifocal to coalescing, acute necrosis of intestinal villi (2 score) and D represents severe, diffuse, acute necrosis of intestinal villi (3 score). E percentage microscopic NE lesions in birds (n = 20/group) which were predisposed to abrupt change in protein content in the diet and/or infection with vIBDV followed by exposure to CP (p < 0.0001). (CP: Clostridium. perfringens; P20: 20% protein in the feed; P28: 28% protein in the feed; vIBDV: variant infectious bursal disease virus)