Avian - Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV)

Question 1

What is the cause of IBV?

Answer 1

Coronavirus (Infectious bronchitis virus, group 3 precise)

Question 2

Is IBV a DNA virus or an RNA virus?

Answer 2

RNA virus

Question 3

How is IBV transmitted?

Answer 3

Inhalation/aerosol transmission

-can also be spread by means of contaminated equipment and personnel

Question 4

What are the CS associated with IBV?

Answer 4

• initially mild respiratory symptoms (sneezing, snicking, gasping, moist rales, nasal discharge)
• young chicks will huddle under heat source and be depressed
• decline in egg production and irregularly shaped eggs

Question 5

What are the CS associated with IBV - nephrotropic strains?

Answer 5

-depression, dehydration, and ruffled feathers

Question 6

What are the lesions with IBV?

Answer 6

• serous/caseous exudate in trachea, hyperemia tracheal mucosa, nasal passages and sinuses
• cheesy plug found at the bifurcation of the bronchi
• air sacculitis/pneumonia
• soft shelled or misshapen eggs with wrinkled shells

Question 7

Diagnosis of IBV

Answer 7

• tentative diagnosis can be made based off of clinical signs and a rise in IBV antibody titers as measured by ELISA
• a positive diagnosis requires virus isolation in embryonaged gags, PCR or immunofluorescence in tissue selections.

Question 8

Treatment for IBV?

Answer 8

No specific treatment

Question 9

Prevention of IBV?

Answer 9

• strict isolation of the farm, all in all out brid movement, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of the poultry house
• vaccination (several times with a live IBV vaccine prior to onset of laying)