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Rafique S, Jabeen Z, Pervaiz T, Rashid F, Luo S, Xie L, Xie Z. Avian infectious bronchitis virus (AIBV) review by continent. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1325346. [PMID: 38375362 PMCID: PMC10875066 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1325346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a positive-sense, single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus responsible for substantial economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide by causing a highly contagious respiratory disease. The virus can spread quickly through contact, contaminated equipment, aerosols, and personal-to-person contact. We highlight the prevalence and geographic distribution of all nine genotypes, as well as the relevant symptoms and economic impact, by extensively analyzing the current literature. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis was performed using Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA-6), which provided insights into the global molecular diversity and evolution of IBV strains. This review highlights that IBV genotype I (GI) is prevalent worldwide because sporadic cases have been found on many continents. Conversely, GII was identified as a European strain that subsequently dispersed throughout Europe and South America. GIII and GV are predominant in Australia, with very few reports from Asia. GIV, GVIII, and GIX originate from North America. GIV was found to circulate in Asia, and GVII was identified in Europe and China. Geographically, the GVI-1 lineage is thought to be restricted to Asia. This review highlights that IBV still often arises in commercial chicken flocks despite immunization and biosecurity measures because of the ongoing introduction of novel IBV variants and inadequate cross-protection provided by the presently available vaccines. Consequently, IB consistently jeopardizes the ability of the poultry industry to grow and prosper. Identifying these domains will aid in discerning the pathogenicity and prevalence of IBV genotypes, potentially enhancing disease prevention and management tactics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Rafique
- SB Diagnostic Laboratory, Sadiq Poultry Pvt. Ltd., Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Zohra Jabeen
- SB Diagnostic Laboratory, Sadiq Poultry Pvt. Ltd., Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Treeza Pervaiz
- SB Diagnostic Laboratory, Sadiq Poultry Pvt. Ltd., Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Farooq Rashid
- Department of Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of China (Guangxi)-ASEAN Cross-border Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Nanning, China
| | - Sisi Luo
- Department of Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of China (Guangxi)-ASEAN Cross-border Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Nanning, China
| | - Liji Xie
- Department of Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of China (Guangxi)-ASEAN Cross-border Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Nanning, China
| | - Zhixun Xie
- Department of Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of China (Guangxi)-ASEAN Cross-border Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Nanning, China
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Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Infectious Bronchitis Virus in Chicken in Northwest Ethiopia. ScientificWorldJournal 2021; 2021:4553890. [PMID: 34812249 PMCID: PMC8605908 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4553890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian infectious bronchitis virus is a highly contagious disease occurring in respiratory, urogenital, and reproductive tissues of chicken causing considerable losses due to death, egg drop, and reduced production. This preliminary study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and to assess the potential risk factors in chickens of northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to June 2021. A total of 768 serum samples from three zones were collected. To investigate the presence of antibodies against IBV, the indirect ELISA serological test was applied. Positivity for anti-IBV antibodies was observed in 23.96% (95% CI: 20.98–27.14) of the samples. The mixed-effect logistic regression analysis of potential risk factors showed that IBV prevalence was significantly higher in young chickens than adults (p < 0.001) and higher in intensive farm type than in extensive type (p < 0.001). Based on the production purposes of the chickens, the odds of seropositivity for IB was significantly higher in layers than in broilers (p < 0.001) and dual purposes (p < 0.001). This study revealed higher seroprevalence in farms which had the “all-in-all-out” rearing method than in farms with different batches in one house with a significant difference (p < 0.001), higher seroprevalence in the poor ventilated type than in good ones (p < 0.001), and higher seroprevalence in the houses that did not remove used litter at all than houses of completely disposed and partially disposed litter (p=0.002). Moreover, disinfection of houses had significant effect on the occurrence of IB. Having personal protective equipment was significantly affecting the occurrence of IB, being higher in the farms that have no wearing clothes and shoe than in those having wearing clothes and shoe (p=0.002). In conclusion, the seroprevalence finding in the present study indicated that the organism is circulating among the population of chickens and high enough to cause significant economic losses Therefore, poultry houses should be cleaned, disinfected, and well ventilated and farm attendants should have separate farm shoe and clothes. Further studies on the virus isolation and molecular characterization of the target gene are needed in the study area.
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Bhuiyan MSA, Amin Z, Rodrigues KF, Saallah S, Shaarani SM, Sarker S, Siddiquee S. Infectious Bronchitis Virus (Gammacoronavirus) in Poultry Farming: Vaccination, Immune Response and Measures for Mitigation. Vet Sci 2021; 8:273. [PMID: 34822646 PMCID: PMC8623603 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8110273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) poses significant financial and biosecurity challenges to the commercial poultry farming industry. IBV is the causative agent of multi-systemic infection in the respiratory, reproductive and renal systems, which is similar to the symptoms of various viral and bacterial diseases reported in chickens. The avian immune system manifests the ability to respond to subsequent exposure with an antigen by stimulating mucosal, humoral and cell-mediated immunity. However, the immune response against IBV presents a dilemma due to the similarities between the different serotypes that infect poultry. Currently, the live attenuated and killed vaccines are applied for the control of IBV infection; however, the continual emergence of IB variants with rapidly evolving genetic variants increases the risk of outbreaks in intensive poultry farms. This review aims to focus on IBV challenge-infection, route and delivery of vaccines and vaccine-induced immune responses to IBV. Various commercial vaccines currently have been developed against IBV protection for accurate evaluation depending on the local situation. This review also highlights and updates the limitations in controlling IBV infection in poultry with issues pertaining to antiviral therapy and good biosecurity practices, which may aid in establishing good biorisk management protocols for its control and which will, in turn, result in a reduction in economic losses attributed to IBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Safiul Alam Bhuiyan
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jln UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia; (M.S.A.B.); (Z.A.); (K.F.R.); (S.S.)
| | - Zarina Amin
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jln UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia; (M.S.A.B.); (Z.A.); (K.F.R.); (S.S.)
| | - Kenneth Francis Rodrigues
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jln UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia; (M.S.A.B.); (Z.A.); (K.F.R.); (S.S.)
| | - Suryani Saallah
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jln UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia; (M.S.A.B.); (Z.A.); (K.F.R.); (S.S.)
| | - Sharifudin Md. Shaarani
- Food Biotechnology Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, Nilai 71800, Malaysia;
| | - Subir Sarker
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Shafiquzzaman Siddiquee
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jln UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia; (M.S.A.B.); (Z.A.); (K.F.R.); (S.S.)
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Molecular Characterization of 4/91 Infectious Bronchitis Virus Leading to Studies of Pathogenesis and Host Responses in Laying Hens. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10050624. [PMID: 34069486 PMCID: PMC8161358 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) initially establishes the infection in the respiratory tract and then spreads to other tissues depending on its virulence. During 2011–2018, the 4/91 IBV strain was isolated from poultry flocks affected by decreased egg production and quality in Eastern Canada. One of the Canadian 4/91 IBV isolates, IBV/Ck/Can/17-038913, was propagated in embryonated chicken eggs and molecularly characterized using whole genome sequencing. An in vivo study in laying hens was conducted to observe if IBV/Ck/Can/17-038913 isolate affects the egg production and quality. Hens were infected with IBV/Ck/Can/17-038913 isolate during the peak of egg lay, using a standard dose and routes maintaining uninfected controls. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were collected at predetermined time points for the quantification of IBV genome loads. At 6 and 10 days post-infection, hens were euthanized to observe the lesions in various organs and collect blood and tissue samples for the quantification of antibody response and IBV genome loads, respectively. Egg production was not impacted during the first 10 days following infection. No gross lesions were observed in the tissues of the infected birds. The IBV genome was quantified in swabs, trachea, lung, proventriculus, cecal tonsils, kidney, and reproductive tissues. The serum antibody response against IBV was quantified in infected hens. In addition, histological changes, and recruitment of immune cells, such as macrophages and T cell subsets in kidney tissues, were measured. Overall, data show that IBV/Ck/Can/17-038913 isolate is not associated with egg production issues in laying hens infected at the peak of lay, while it demonstrates various tissue tropism, including kidney, where histopathological lesions and immune cell recruitments were evident.
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Hou Y, Zhang L, Ren M, Han Z, Sun J, Zhao Y, Liu S. A highly pathogenic GI-19 lineage infectious bronchitis virus originated from multiple recombination events with broad tissue tropism. Virus Res 2020; 285:198002. [PMID: 32380209 PMCID: PMC7198173 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The GI-19 strain was shown to be the dominant IBV lineage worldwide. Isolate I0305/19 belongs to GI-19 lineage. Isolate I0305/19 emerged through recombination events. Isolate I0305/19 is a highly nephropathogenic strain. Isolate I0305/19 showed broad tissue tropism in infected chickens.
In the present study, an IBV strain I0305/19 was isolated from a diseased commercial broiler flock in 2019 in China with high morbidity and mortality. The isolate I0305/19 was clustered together with viruses in sublineage D of GI-19 lineage on the basis of the complete S1 sequence analysis. Isolate I0305/19 and other GI-19 viruses isolated in China have the amino acid sequence MIA at positions 110–112 in the S protein. Further analysis based on the complete genomic sequence showed that the isolate emerged through at least four recombination events between GI-19 ck/CH/LJS/120848- and GI-13 4/91-like strains, in which the S gene was found to be similar to that of the GI-19 ck/CH/LJS/120848-like strain. Pathological assessment showed the isolate was a nephropathogenic IBV strain that caused high morbidity of 100 % and mortality of 80 % in 1-day-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicks. The isolate I0305/19 exhibited broader tropisms in different tissues, including tracheas, lungs, bursa of Fabricius, spleen, liver, kidneys, proventriculus, small intestines, large intestines, cecum, and cecal tonsils. Furthermore, subpopulations of the virus were found in tissues of infected chickens; this finding is important in understanding how the virulent IBV strains can potentially replicate and evolve to cause disease. This information is also valuable for understanding the mechanisms of replication and evolution of other coronaviruses such as the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Hou
- Division of Avian Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Division of Avian Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengting Ren
- Division of Avian Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongxi Han
- Division of Avian Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Junfeng Sun
- Division of Avian Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Division of Avian Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengwang Liu
- Division of Avian Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China.
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Research Note: First evidence of infectious bronchitis virus Middle-East GI-23 lineage (Var2-like) in Germany. Poult Sci 2019; 99:797-800. [PMID: 32036979 PMCID: PMC7111731 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2019.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The infectious bronchitis virus Middle-East GI-23 lineage (Var2-like) was observed on a German broiler farm, for the first time. The animals suffered from respiratory and nephropathogenic disease. Gross lesions observed during necropsy included tracheitis, aerosacculitis, and nephritis. Tracheal swabs were tested positive for infectious bronchitis virus Middle-East GI-23 lineage (Var2-like) by PCR. Furthermore, sequence analysis of the S1 spike protein showed close relationship to the commercially available vaccine TAbic IBVAR206 and polish isolates.
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Hepojoki S, Lindh E, Vapalahti O, Huovilainen A. Prevalence and genetic diversity of coronaviruses in wild birds, Finland. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2017; 7:1408360. [PMID: 30788065 PMCID: PMC6369310 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2017.1408360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Migratory birds act as hosts for a number of zoonotic viruses, and have the ability to disperse these viruses to distant geographic locations. Coronaviruses (CoVs) represent a family of zoonotic viruses with wide variety of animal hosts, including birds and humans. The infections caused by coronaviruses vary from mild to severe, depending on the viral species and the host. Since the coronaviruses exhibit extraordinary large RNA genome, also the rate of homologous recombination is high, which in turn contributes to the genetic diversity and interspecies host-switches of CoVs. The emergence of novel CoVs has been rich during the last decades, and wild birds seem to serve as reservoirs for a variety of CoV strains. We examined the CoVs circulating among wild birds in Finland. Materials and methods: Samples (cloacal swab, tracheal swab, oropharyngeal swab, or tissue) representing 61 bird species were collected during 2010-2013, and examined by RT-PCR targeting the RdRp gene for the presence of CoV RNA. Results: Altogether 51/939 (5.4%) of the examined birds were found positive by RT-PCR. Diverse gamma- and deltacoronavirus sequences were detected. Discussion: Gamma- and deltacoronaviruses circulate among wild birds in Finland. The number of CoV-positive birds detected each year varies greatly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erika Lindh
- Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anita Huovilainen
- Research and Laboratory Department, Veterinary Virology, Finnish Food Safety Authority, Evira, Helsinki, Finland
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Infectious Bronchitis Virus Variants: Molecular Analysis and Pathogenicity Investigation. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18102030. [PMID: 28937583 PMCID: PMC5666712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18102030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) variants constantly emerge and pose economic threats to poultry farms worldwide. Numerous studies on the molecular and pathogenic characterization of IBV variants have been performed between 2007 and 2017, which we have reviewed herein. We noted that viral genetic mutations and recombination events commonly gave rise to distinct IBV genotypes, serotypes and pathotypes. In addition to characterizing the S1 genes, full viral genomic sequencing, comprehensive antigenicity, and pathogenicity studies on emerging variants have advanced our understanding of IBV infections, which is valuable for developing countermeasures against IBV field outbreaks. This review of IBV variants provides practical value for understanding their phylogenetic relationships and epidemiology from both regional and worldwide viewpoints.
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Bande F, Arshad SS, Omar AR, Hair-Bejo M, Mahmuda A, Nair V. Global distributions and strain diversity of avian infectious bronchitis virus: a review. Anim Health Res Rev 2017; 18:70-83. [PMID: 28776490 DOI: 10.1017/s1466252317000044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The poultry industry faces challenge amidst global food security crisis. Infectious bronchitis is one of the most important viral infections that cause huge economic loss to the poultry industry worldwide. The causative agent, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is an RNA virus with great ability for mutation and recombination; thus, capable of generating new virus strains that are difficult to control. There are many IBV strains found worldwide, including the Massachusetts, 4/91, D274, and QX-like strains that can be grouped under the classic or variant serotypes. Currently, information on the epidemiology, strain diversity, and global distribution of IBV has not been comprehensively reported. This review is an update of current knowledge on the distribution, genetic relationship, and diversity of the IBV strains found worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruku Bande
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400 UPM Serdang,Selangor Darul Ehsan,Malaysia
| | - Siti Suri Arshad
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400 UPM Serdang,Selangor Darul Ehsan,Malaysia
| | - Abdul Rahman Omar
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400 UPM Serdang,Selangor Darul Ehsan,Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hair-Bejo
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400 UPM Serdang,Selangor Darul Ehsan,Malaysia
| | - Aliyu Mahmuda
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400 UPM Serdang,Selangor Darul Ehsan,Malaysia
| | - Venugopal Nair
- Avian Oncogenic Virus Group,The Pirbright Institute,Working,Guildford,Surrey,GU24 0NF,UK
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Pohjola L, Tammiranta N, Ek-Kommonen C, Soveri T, Hänninen ML, Fredriksson Ahomaa M, Huovilainen A. A survey for selected avian viral pathogens in backyard chicken farms in Finland. Avian Pathol 2016; 46:166-172. [DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2016.1232804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Pohjola
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Saarentaus, Finland
| | - N. Tammiranta
- Veterinary Virology, Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Helsinki, Finland
| | - C. Ek-Kommonen
- Veterinary Virology, Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T. Soveri
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Saarentaus, Finland
| | - M. L. Hänninen
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - M. Fredriksson Ahomaa
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A. Huovilainen
- Veterinary Virology, Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Helsinki, Finland
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Pohjola L, Rossow L, Huovilainen A, Soveri T, Hänninen ML, Fredriksson-Ahomaa M. Questionnaire study and postmortem findings in backyard chicken flocks in Finland. Acta Vet Scand 2015; 57:3. [PMID: 25608622 PMCID: PMC4307913 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-015-0095-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although modern commercial poultry production today is based on large farms and intensive husbandry, keeping backyard poultry has regained popularity in industrialized countries. However, the health status of backyard flocks is still relatively poorly documented. A questionnaire was sent to the owners of 376 backyard poultry flocks (<500 birds) in order to study health management procedures and characterize backyard poultry populations in Finland. Information was also collected on the postmortem findings from non-commercial flocks using necropsy data from the Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira). Results Backyard flocks in Finland are small in size (<50 birds), comprising mainly chickens. Based on the results of the questionnaire, the health of such flocks is good, mortality low and vaccinations are not commonly used. Most of the flocks were registered in the national poultry register. The standard biosecurity practices are not generally applied and contact with wild birds, pets and farm animals is frequent, which can make the flocks more prone to infectious diseases. We conducted an 11-year retrospective study of the postmortem necropsy findings of the Evira in order to document the diseases, which caused mortality in backyard chickens in Finland. Necropsy was performed on a total of 132 non-commercial laying hens during 2000 – 2011. The most common postmortem findings were Marek’s disease (27%) and colibacillosis (17%). Conclusions This study is the first to report data on characteristics of and management practices for backyard chicken flocks in Finland. Close connections with commercial flocks are rare and farms are usually distantly located suggesting that the risk that these backyard flocks pose to commercial poultry is low.
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