Infectious Bronchitis in Poultry: A Comprehensive Guide to Nutritional Strategies, Diagnosis, Prevention and Control

¹Ganesh, ¹Akash Wadal, ¹Jayant Kumar Kakwani, ¹Prasad Shinde,
¹Pallavi Maurya,¹Manish Srivastava

¹MVSc Scholar, Department of Animal Nutrition

College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry

Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology

Kumarganj, Ayodhya-2242209

Causative Agent: The disease is caused by the Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV). This virus is an enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus belonging to the coronaviridae family, which also includes viruses responsible for diseases in other animals and humans

Symptoms:

• Respiratory: Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and difficulty breathing are the main symptoms. Additionally, wheezing and a distinctive rattling sound made during breathing may be present in affected birds.
• Reproductive: In laying hens, IB can result in a marked decrease in egg production as well as the development of eggs with weak shells or abnormalities.
• Renal: Kidney impairment caused by certain IBV strains can result in increased water and urine intake.
• Transmission

IBV is extremely contagious and spreads quickly among poultry through direct contact with infected birds, contaminated environments or equipment, and aerosolized droplets. Because the virus can survive in the air and on equipment, biosecurity precautions are essential for preventing its transmission.

1. Impact on Poultry Farming:
2. Economic Losses: Because of decreased egg production, slower growth rates, higher mortality, and the expenses related to managing and controlling the disease, IB can result in significant economic losses. In intensive poultry organizations, where a high number of birds are maintained in close quarters, the financial burden is especially noticeable.
3.  Production Efficiency: Both layers (hens that lay eggs) and broilers (chickens raised for meat) may experience a reduction in overall production efficiency as a result of sickness. Reduced profitability is a result of slower growth rates in broilers and lower egg quality and quantity in layers.
4. Trade and Market Access: Influenza outbreaks can disrupt trade and market access because afflicted countries may prohibit or restrict the import of chicken products.
   Significance
5. Widespread Occurrence: IB is a global problem that impacts both large commercial operations and backyard chicken farms. Its high rate of transmission and effects on productivity make it a major global concern for chicken growers.
6. Management and Control: A mix of immunization, biosecurity precautions, and excellent husbandry techniques are needed for the effective management of IB. While vaccination and diagnostic developments have enhanced control methods, infectious bovine disease (IB) continues to pose a persistent problem to the management of poultry health.

Nutrition strategies

• Strengthening Defenses: Protein: To promote immunological function, make sure the diet contains a sufficient amount of high-quality protein. The synthesis of antibodies and other elements of the immune system depends on proteins. Add sources such as alfalfa, fish meal, and soybean meal.
• Amino Acids: To promote the best possible protein synthesis and immunological response, provide necessary amino acids (such as methionine and lysine).
   Minerals and Vitamins:
• Vitamin A: Essential for preserving the integrity of mucous membranes and epithelial tissues. Deficiency may make a person more vulnerable to respiratory infections. Offer resources such as liver meal, fish liver oil, and enriched feed.
• Vitamin D: Promotes healthy bones and the absorption of calcium. Sufficient quantities of vitamin D are critical for immunological response and general health. Offer via dietary supplements or exposure to sunshine. o Antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium improve immunological function and lessen oxidative stress. In addition, selenium and vitamin E can complement one another. Add supplements such as vegetable oils and yeast that has been fortified in selenium.
• Electrolytes and Hydration: Electrolyte Solutions: Increased respiratory fluid loss during IB outbreaks can cause dehydration in poultry. To support electrolyte balance recovery and hydration, add electrolyte powders or solutions to drinking water.
• Water Quality: Make sure birds always have access to fresh, clean water. Water contamination can make health problems severe.
• Carbohydrates and Fats: Make sure the meal is high in energy to meet the higher metabolic demands of diseased and stressed birds. Add vegetable oils and grains like wheat and corn to your diet for extra ener
• Energy Density: Modify the diet’s energy density to aid in rehabilitation and body condition maintenance.
• Probiotics: Good bacteria can support the preservation of a balanced gut flora, which is critical for immunological function and general health. Introduce probiotics into your diet to help maintain intestinal health.
• Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that encourage the development of good gut flora. Add prebiotic substances such as yeast and chicory root.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: May lessen the intensity of respiratory symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory qualities. Add flaxseed or fish oil as a supplement.
• Herbal supplements: Studies indicate the anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating effects of certain herbs, such as oregano and garlic.

Pathogenesis

• Entry and Replication:  The respiratory tract is the main route of entry for the virus. It affects the trachea, bronchi, and air sacs’ epithelial cells.
• Local Spread: The virus causes inflammation and damages the epithelial cells in the respiratory system by quickly spreading locally.
• Systemic travel: The virus may occasionally travel throughout the body, harming other organs like the kidneys and reproductive system.

Defense Reaction:

• Initial Response: The release of interferons and other cytokines is a component of the innate immune response.
• Adaptive Response: The immune system’s cellular and humoral (antibody-mediated) pathways are both stimulated. However, the virus possesses various serotypes and variations, potentially complicating protection.

    Clinical Signs:

• Respiratory Symptoms: rales (abnormal lung sounds), coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge.
• Behavioral Changes: Lethargy, ruffled feathers, and decreased intake of nourishment.
• Egg Production: Less eggs, of inferior quality (such as thin-shelled or malformed eggs), are produced by layers.

Post-mortem Analysis
Lesions: Air sac and trachea mild to moderately inflamed. The tracheal walls may thicken and mucus can accumulate up often.
Exams in the lab:

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Used to find genetic material related to the infectious bronchitis virus (ABV).
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): To find IBV-antibody antibodies.

      Isolation of the virus: growing the virus in tissue samples.
      Immunohistochemistry: Used in tissue samples to identify viral antigens.

      DIAGNOSIS

Vaccination:  Live vaccines: Applied by spray or water. They offer defense against numerous IBV strains and generate a potent immune response. Inactivated Vaccines: These shots are given intravenously and are meant to increase immunity or in certain circumstances where live vaccinations might not be suitable.

Biosecurity

• Isolation: Until fresh birds are verified to be disease-free, keep them apart from the current flock.
• Sanitation: Equipment and chicken houses should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.
• Personnel Hygiene: To stop the virus from spreading, make sure that every employee
• complies with severe hygiene guidelines.
  Diagnostic Testing: As part of a regular health monitoring program or in suspected cases test for IBV on a regular basis.

Control

• New Arrivals: Before reintroducing newly arrived birds to the main flock, quarantine them for a while and keep monitoring out for any indications of illness.
•  Environmental Controls: To lessen stress and pathogen exposure, maintain ideal ventilation and refrain from crowding.
• Nutritional Support: To preserve the flock’s general health and immunity, feed it a balanced diet.