The Specific Prophylaxis of Adenoviral Inclusion Body Hepatitis/Hydropericardium Syndrome in Chicken

Abstract Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is a disease of chickens characterized by acute mortality with severe anemia caused by fowl adenoviruses (FAdV). IBH is one of the most important re-emerging diseases world-wide. In India earlier IBH/ Hydropericardium Syndrome (HPS) outbreaks were mainly due to FAdV) type 4; however, in recent outbreaks, other serotypes are involved, despite regular vaccination in breeders and young chicks. The aim of the present study was isolation and molecular characterization of FAdV associated with IBH in India. A total of 193 liver samples of IBH suspected broiler chickens were collected from different regions of India. Liver samples were initially screened by histopathology and further, a total of 127 samples which microscopically showed basophilic, intra-nuclear inclusion bodies were processed for FAdV detection. A total of 69 samples were found to be positive for Hexon gene in PCR, of which 28 were sequenced. These samples showed more than 94% sequence homology with FAdV2 and 97% with FAdV11, which was confirmed by Restriction Enzyme Analysis (REA). Tissue Culture Infective Dose 50 (TCID50) and Egg Infective Dose50 (EID50) titer of isolated FAdV was found to be 106.5/ml. Pathogenicity study in SPF chicks showed 100% mortality up to Post Infection Day (PID)-6. These findings conclude that the prevalence of FAdV-11 is currently causing IBH outbreaks India. However, further genetic and pathogenic analysis of FAdV is required, which would provide useful information for the development of the efficient commercial IBH vaccine.

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Fowl adenovirus Group I as a causal agent of inclusion body hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome (IBH/HPS) outbreak in brazilian broiler flocks

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-736x2014000800004 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 34 (8) ◽

pp. 733-737 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Elena Mettifogo ◽

Luis F.N. Nuñez ◽

Silvana H. Santander Parra ◽

Claudete S. Astolfi-Ferreira ◽

Antonio J. Piantino Ferreira

Keyword(s):

Inclusion Body ◽

Causal Agent ◽

Hexon Gene ◽

Hydropericardium Syndrome ◽

Fowl Adenovirus ◽

Group I ◽

Inclusion Body Hepatitis ◽

Commercial Broiler ◽

Gross Lesions ◽

Poor Weight Gain

Commercial broiler flocks from a farm located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, presented diarrhea, depression, increased mortality and poor weight gain. Upon post-mortem examination, classical signs of Inclusion Body Hepatitis/Hydropericardium Syndrome (IBH/HPS) were observed, including enlarged pale yellow-colored livers and straw-colored liquid in the pericardial sac. In addition, gross lesions were also observed in the kidneys, pancreas, thymus, intestines and gallbladder. Samples of these organs were analyzed by PCR for the detection of the hexon gene of the Fowl Adenovirus (FAdVs) Group I. The results were positive for both flocks (A and B) assayed by PCR. The macroscopic lesions associated with the detection of FAdV Group I by PCR in several of these affected organs allowed for the identification of IBH/HPS. In fact, this is the first report in Brazil of IBH/HPS in broilers, which identifies FAdVs group I as a causal agent of the disease. These findings may contribute to the worldwide epidemiology of the adenovirus-mediated hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome.

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