Prevalence and clinical pathology caused by infectious bronchitis virus in poultry birds at Sindh, Pakistan

Poultry is a major meat and eggs producing sector that generates high income throughout the world. Despite worldwide growth of poultry, it is influenced by various infectious pathogens especially infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). As a result of heavy economic losses through high morbidity, mortality, deficient performance, low weight gain, abnormal colour and misshapen eggs, this study is designed on identification and quantification of infectious bronchitis virus. A total 4000 tissue specimen (trachea, kidney and swabs) were collected from flocks with respiratory illness, from various areas of Sindh. The specimens were cultured in 10 days old specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs and amnio-allantoic fluid (AAF) was harvested. Hemagglutination assay (HA) with trypsin showed slightly higher prevalence of IBV in layers (≥61.2%) than in broilers (≥ 52%). ELISA revealed that 84.4% samples were positive, while 14.6% samples were negative for IBV. It is concluded that IBV is highly prevalent in various parts of Sindh province of Pakistan, therefore time to time vaccination is required to prevent heavy economic losses.