Table 2.

Histopathological scoring system used for the evaluation of intestinal tissues in broilers. Each parameter was evaluated for all chickens in ileum, cecum, and colon.

Parameter evaluated	Lesion	Severity	Distribution
Villi and epithelium	0.5 = epithelial detachment 1 = villi fusion 2 = necrosis	1 = mild 2 = moderate 3 = severe	1 = focal 2 = disseminated 3 = diffuse
Mucosal and submucosal infiltrate		1 = mild 2 = moderate 3 = severe	1 = focal 2 = disseminated 3 = diffuse
Hyperemia	+ = present – = absent
Hemorrhages		1 = mild 2 = moderate 3 = severe	1 = focal 2 = disseminated 3 = diffuse
Cecal tonsils	+ = activated – = silent