Infectious bronchitis virus serotypes in poultry flocks in Jordan

Area of Science:

• Avian health
• Veterinary virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a global cause of respiratory illness in chickens.
• IBV exhibits diverse serotypes lacking cross-protection, complicating disease management.
• Limited research exists on IBV serotypes involved in Jordanian poultry respiratory disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and serotypes of IBV in chicken flocks experiencing respiratory disease in Jordan.
• To establish baseline data on IBV seroprevalence and circulating strains within Jordan.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 20 affected chicken flocks were tested for IBV antibodies using ELISA.
• Positive flocks (14/20) showing increased antibody titers were further analyzed.
• Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests were performed on these samples against five IBV serotype antigens.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in IBV antibody titers (70% of flocks) indicated recent infection.
• HI tests suggested exposure to Ark, DE-072, and Mass-like IBV serotypes in some flocks.
• In 71% of positive flocks, HI titers were too similar across tested antigens to definitively identify the IBV serotype.

Conclusions:

• IBV is actively circulating and causing respiratory disease in Jordanian chicken flocks.
• The study highlights challenges in serotyping IBV using the HI test when antibody responses are not distinct.
• Further research is needed to identify the specific IBV serotypes prevalent in Jordan.