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Mild infectious laryngotracheitis in broilers in the southeast.
Holly S Sellers1, Maricarmen García, John R Glisson
1Department of Avian Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Avian Diseases
|July 31, 2004
Summary
A mild infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) outbreak in broilers showed minimal symptoms and no mortality. Genetic analysis revealed the ILTV strain is related to a vaccine type.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Avian Pathology
Background:
- Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) can cause significant economic losses in poultry.
- Understanding ILTV strains is crucial for disease control and vaccine development.
Observation:
- A mild ILTV infection in broiler flocks in the southeastern US during 2001 presented with tracheitis, swollen sinuses, and conjunctivitis.
- No increased mortality or significant serologic response was noted.
- Histopathology revealed infrequent intranuclear inclusion bodies and syncytial cell formation in affected tissues and embryos.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemistry and nested ILT PCR confirmed ILTV nucleic acid in fixed tissues.
- SPF birds inoculated with field material showed similar mild clinical signs.
- Nested ILT PCR confirmed ILTV in swabs and tissues from experimentally infected SPF birds.
- RFLP analysis of ILT PCR products indicated the field ILTV strain is related to chicken embryo origin vaccine strains.
Implications:
- This suggests a potential for less virulent ILTV strains circulating in commercial broiler populations.
- The genetic similarity to vaccine strains warrants further investigation into their origin and potential for reassessment of diagnostic and control strategies.
- Monitoring ILTV for genetic drift and changes in virulence is essential for poultry health management.