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Prevalence of
antibodies to infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in chickens
in
southwestern Nigeria
B. O. Emikpe*,
O. G. Ohore,
M. Olujonwo and
S. O. Akpavie
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Ibadan,
Ibadan, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
banabis2001@yahoo.com,bo.emikpe@uimail.edu.ng
Tel:
234-806-6486080,
080583
39880.
Accepted 29 October, 2009 |
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A total of 672 sera from apparently
healthy commercial and indigenous chickens of different ages
were screened for antibodies to infectious bronchitis (IB)
virus using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Samples obtained from breeder, layer, grower and indigenous
chicken flocks in Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos states of
southwestern Nigeria were screened. The total seroprevalence
was 82.7% with ELISA units of 77.0 ± 8.0. Among the groups
of birds, layers had the highest ELISA units of 80.0
± 9.0, breeders had 73.0 ± 8.0 while indigenous chickens had
73.0
± 7.0 ELISA units. These chickens, except the breeders, had
no history of vaccination against infectious bronchitis. The
higher prevalence observed in layers, growers and indigenous
chickens may be due to field infection since maternal
antibody
was
expected to have waned between three and four weeks of life.
These findings indicate a high infectious bronchitis virus
activity in southwestern Nigeria
chickens hence there is an urgent need for the
development of prevention and control policies against IB in
Nigerian
poultry farms
and a national control
programme for infectious bronchitis virus infection
should be planned.
Key words:
Chickens,
infectious bronchitis virus, Nigeria,
prevalence, southwest. |
