Infectious Bursal Disease Antibody Research Articles

Immunostimulating potentials of methanolic extract of <i>Plectranthus parviflorus</i> in chickens vaccinated against Newcastle disease and Infectious bursal disease

Outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) and Infectious Bursal disease (IBD) have been reported in vaccinated poultry flocks in many countries highlighting the need for the administration of immunostimulants to improve immunity in such birds. The immunomodulatory effects of methanol leaf extract of plectranthus parviflorus on ND and IBD antibody titre was investigated. One hundred day-old cockerels were randomly assigned into five groups each, A-E and A1-E1 for Newcastle disease and Infectious bursal disease studies respectively. Groups A and A1 were control groups and received water only while groups B and B1 received LaSota and IBD intermediate plus ® vaccine respectively. Groups C and C1, D and D1 were administered 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of Plectranthus parviflorus orally for three days before vaccination respectively, while groups E and E1were given 100mg/kg of the extract orally three days post vaccination. Blood samples were obtained via jugular vein at day-old and 14 days as well as on days 7, 14 and 21 post vaccination. Haemagglutination- inhibition (HI) test and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to assay the antibody titre against ND and IBD respectively. A decline in maternal antibody over 14 days was observed for antibody titre against Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease from 6.1 to 1.8 geometric mean (log2) and (1043.37±2.1) to (524.48±2.7) respectively. Group D was observed to have a significant titre value of 2.3 and 3.7 geometric mean (log2) 14 and 21 days post ND vaccination while group D1 also had a significant increase (1037.90±3.6) titre 14 days post-vaccination. This study showed that plectranthus parviflorus extract had a significant effect on Newcastle disease and Infectious bursal disease humoral response when administered orally at 200mg/kg before vaccination with ND and IBD vaccines respectively.

Changes in antibody titres and comparative efficacy of some unconventional remedies in mitigating the effects of infectious bursal disease virus infection in pullet chicks

Unconventional remedies are used by farmers against infectious bursal disease (IBD). This study assessed changes in IBD antibody titres and efficacy of some unconventional remedies used by farmers against IBD. Day old ISA brown pullets were assigned into eight groups (A-H) and inoculated with a very virulent IBD virus (vvIBDV) at 21 days of age as follows; group A - administered aqueous leaf extract of Kaya senegalensis (KS); B, C, D, E, and F administered remedies designated as SEV, ENP, ASMS, DLP, and OVX, respectively; G, and H were negative, and positive control, respectively. Changes in IBD antibody (Ab) titres, clinical signs, morbidity and mortality rates, gross lesions, weights and organ ratios of bursal (BF), spleen (S) and thymus (T) were assessed. There were protective levels of Ab in groups of chicks at 2 and 7 days of age. SEV and ASMS potentiated Ab response to vvIBDV; SEV mitigated the severity of clinical signs, morbidity and mortality rates, gross lesions and changes in body and BF weights and SBR; KS clinical signs, morbidity and mortality rates, BF weight and BBR; ENP morbidity rate, spleen and thymus weights and TBR; ASMS thymus weight and TBR; DLP gross lesions, BF weight and BBR; OVX body, spleen weights and SBR. The remedies demonstrated varied actions against VVIBDV infection. SEV and KS leaves could be administered at the onset of IBD outbreak and before IBD vaccination. Processing of KS leaves to reduce concentration of antimetabolites is recommended.

Seroprevalence and associated factors of infectious bursal disease (IBD) in indigenous chicken in eastern province in Rwanda

ABSTRACT The status of Infectious bursal disease (IBD) in indigenous chickens and backyard poultry in Rwanda has not been previously elucidated. This cross-sectional study was to determine the seroprevalence of infectious bursal disease in indigenous chickens and to identify the associated factors. The study was been done in three districts in the Eastern province of Rwanda where blood from 364 indigenous chickens were collected. ID Screen® IBD indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used to detect IBD antibodies in these birds. 145 questionnaires were also administered to poultry farmers to obtain information on biosecurity measures and associated factors to IBD outbreaks. The study revealed 48.4% (176/364) prevalence of the chicken with IBDV antibodies with statistical significance (P < .05) among/between location and age groups. The questionnaire revealed that there were other important associated factors which included chicken scavenging for seed as a source of food (59.3% of farmers reported), absence of routine vaccination (53.8%), live chickens are purchased from the open market with no information about IBD outbreaks and vaccination (30.0%), open disposal of dead chickens suspected of IBD (58.9%). IBD virus antibodies are present in indigenous chicken in Eastern Rwanda hence further investigation to better understand the epidemiology of IBD virus in indigenous chickens is desired and more research is needed to identify the role of indigenous chickens in the spread of IBD virus in Rwanda.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE APPLICATION OF INNOVAXTM NH-IBD VECTOR VACCINE AGAINST INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE IN BROILERS

The article presents the results of serological control of the effectiveness of vaccination of broilers against infectious bursal disease (IBD) with the use of vector vaccine INNOVAX-NH-IBH in the incubator. Vector vaccines are new generation vaccines that do not contain post-vaccination complications in birds and interference. These genetically engineered vaccines work at the cellular level, the spectrum of protection in recombinant vaccines is higher than in homologous vaccines. The main feature of these vaccines is that when administered subcutaneously to day-old chicks or 18-day-old chicken embryos, in ovo immunity is rapidly developed even in the presence of high maternal antibodies (MAT). Vaccination in an incubator with vector vaccines is more accurate and protects all birds than live vaccines, the main method of which is the use of drinking water.&#x0D; Vector vaccines against infectious bursal disease (IBD) provide protection against clinical signs, but they do not completely colonize the factory bursa, which can lead to the penetration and reproduction of field strains of viruses in the factory bursa.&#x0D; We present serological monitoring data on the average titer of IBD antibodies in sera from 16 batches of broilers aged 32-47 days, including 12 batches vaccinated for the first day in the incubator with vector vaccine INNOVAXTM NH-IBD and 4 batches of revaccinated. It was found that with a single vaccination in an incubator (12 batches), the INNOVAXTM NH-IBD vaccine stimulates the formation of an active immune response to the IBH virus for the entire period of broiler fattening. Mean titers in the sera of broilers aged 35-47 days before IBH virus ranged from 651 to 2088. The percentage of protective antibodies to IBD virus ranged from 72.3 to 100, but among broilers of 2 batches (16.6 %) this figure was 72.3 and 75 %, indicating a low voltage to IBD. The use of INNOVAXTM NH-IBD allows you to: create a stable immunity against IBH; to form immunity in each individual broiler depending on the initial level of maternal antibodies; reduce the effects of stress (compared to mass vaccination in the poultry house by watering). However, the vector of INNOVAXTM NH-IBD vaccines provides protection against clinical signs of IBD, but the vaccine strain does not completely colonize the fabric bursa, which can lead to the penetration and reproduction of field viruses in the fabric bursa. Revaccination with Pulvak Bursa F vaccine after INNOVAXTM NH-IBD in an incubator increases the mean titer and provides 100 % protection against IBD virus. Continuous monitoring of the effectiveness of the INNOVAK NH-IBH vector vaccine by serological monitoring of blood sera in ELISA will allow, depending on the epizootic situation, to timely adjust the vaccination schemes of birds against IBD.

Supplementation of Sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata) Leaf Flour through Broiler Drinking Water against Antibody Titers of Newcastle Disease, Avian Influenza, and Infectious Bursal Disease

The aims of this study were 1) to determine the effect of Sambiloto(Andrographis paniculata)leaf flour supplementation to increase the antibody titer for Newcastle Disease, Avian Influenza, Infectious Bursal Disease; and 2) to determine the best dose of Sambiloto leaf flour supplementation to increase the three antibody titers. The research was carried out in the broiler cage unit of the Integrated Field Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung using a completely randomized design experiment with 5 treatments 5 replications and each replication 5 broilers Cobb CP 707 strain, a total of 125 broilers. All broilers were treated with ND, AI, IBD vaccination. Five treatments with different doses, namely drinking water without supplementation with Sambiloto leaf flour (P0); drinking water with Sambiloto leaf flour 3 mg/kg BW (P1); 6 mg/kg BW (P2); 12 mg/kg BW (P3); 24 mg/kg BW (P4). Broiler blood serum aged 26 days was obtained from the brachial vein using a 3-mL disposable syringe. Testing for ND and AI antibody titers with HI test and IBD antibody titer with indirect ELISA test at Vaksindo Agri Lab Laboratory. Data analysis with one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's further test using SPSS 24 software. The results showed that the supplementation of Sambiloto leaf flour in broiler drinking water had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on ND and AI antibody titers, while on antibody titers. IBD had a significant effect (P≤0.05). The conclusions of this study were 1) the supplementation of Sambiloto leaf flour in broiler drinking water was able to increase the Infectious Bursal Disease antibody titer; and 2) the best dose of Sambiloto leaf flour supplementation in broiler drinking water is 12 mg/kg broiler body weight.

EFFECTS OF IN OVO SYNBIOTIC INJECTION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, INTESTINAL BACTERIAL LOAD AND ANTIBODY TITRES IN BROILER CHICKENS VACCINATED AGAINST INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE

The present study investigated the efficacy of a synbiotic (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgar-icus, Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus, and mannan oligosaccharide) along with an infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccine in Cobb 500 broilers. A total of 1200 embryonated chicken eggs were randomly allocated in 10 groups with eight replicates. The first group did not receive any treatment. The second group was vaccinated post-hatch (PV), the third group was vaccinated in ovo (IV), the fourth group received dietary synbiotic and in ovo vaccination (DS+IV), the fifth group was treated in ovo with synbiotic (IS), the sixth group received in ovo and dietary synbiotic (IS+DS), the seventh group received in ovo synbiotic plus post-hatch vaccination (IS+PV) and the eighth group  in ovo and dietary synbiotic and post-hatch vaccination (IS+DS+PV). In the ninth group, the synbiotic and the vaccine were administered in ovo (IS+IV) while the tenth group re-ceived in ovo and dietary synbiotic, plus in ovo vaccine (IS+DS+IV). The in ovo treatment with the synbiotic in combination with DS, IV or PV had a positive effect on weekly weight gain. The sixth group provided a better feed conversion ratio at the end of fourth week. The synbiotic appli-cation, individually in sixth group or along with PV or IV treatment in eighth and tenth groups, elevated feed intake in fifth and sixth weeks respectively.The antibody titre of IBD was higher for groups which received IV along with IS. It is concluded that the application of synbiotic along to IBD vaccine improved growth performance and had positive effects on IBD antibody titres.

Comparative Immunopathological Study of Various Intra-Cloacal Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine Doses.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a contagious immunosuppressive viral infection of young chickens. Intra-cloacal approach is effective for vaccinating chicks with high maternally derived IBD antibodies; however, the vaccinal traditional dose may be unsuitable for this route. A total of 60 one-day-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicks were randomly distributed into four groups. Group-1: was control and chicks in group-2: were vaccinated with 103.5 TCID50 of D78 strain/ bird via intra-cloacal route, chicks in group-3: were vaccinated with a ten-fold higher dose (104.5 TCID50/bird) and chicks in group-4: were vaccinated with a dose of 102.5 TCID50 of D78 strain/bird using same approach. IBD antibody titers were measured at the 14th and 21st days of age. The immunosuppressive effects of different doses were determined through humoral immune response to avian influenza and Newcastle disease vaccines, the relative weight of primary lymphoid organs, and histopathologically evaluated bursal lesions. The results indicated that a dose even ten-fold higher than the usual dose to SPF chicks via intra-cloacal route caused neither morbidity nor mortality. All vaccine doses induced potent immune responses against IBD, but the highest IBD antibodies titers were observed in group-4 while IBD antibodies titers were decreased with increasing vaccine doses in other experimental groups. Even the vaccinated birds showed moderate histopathological lesions and the diminutive relative weight of bursae; there was no immunosuppressive effect in the immune response to other vaccines in group-4 and transient immunosuppressive effect in groups-2 and-3. All that proves the safety and effectiveness of various intra-cloacal vaccination approach doses.

Effects of Allium hookerion gut microbiome related to growth performance in young broiler chickens.

Healthy food promotes beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. A few prebiotics act as food supplements to increase fermentation by beneficial bacteria, which enhance the host immune system and health. Allium hookeri is a healthy food with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. A. hookeri is used as a feed supplement for broiler chickens to improve growth performance. Although the underlying mechanism is unknown, A. hookeri may alter the gut microbiome. In the current study, 16S rRNA sequencing has been carried out using samples obtained from the cecum of broiler chickens exposed to diets comprising different tissue types (leaf and root) and varying amounts (0.3% and 0.5%) of A. hookeri to investigate their impact on gut microbiome. The microbiome composition in the groups supplemented with A. hookeri leaf varied from that of the control group. Especially, exposure to 0.5% amounts of leaf resulted in differences in the abundance of genera compared with diets comprising 0.3% leaf. Exposure to a diet containing 0.5% A. hookeri leaf decreased the abundance of the following bacteria: Eubacterium nodatum, Marvinbryantia, Oscillospira, and Gelria. The modulation of gut microbiome by leaf supplement correlated with growth traits including body weight, bone strength, and infectious bursal disease antibody. The results demonstrate that A. hookeri may improve the health benefits of broiler chickens by altering the gut microbiome.

The effect of replacing inorganic with organic trace minerals in broiler diets on growth performance, carcass traits, immunity, tissue mineral content, and mineral excretion

This study evaluated the effect of HimChelate-P on growth performance, biochemistry, immunity parameters, carcass traits, tissue mineral content, and mineral excretion in broiler chickens. A total of 240 day-old Cobb 400 Y broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three groups with eight replicates of 10 birds that were raised on standard commercial feed and concurrently supplemented with inorganic trace minerals (ITMs) at 1000 g/ton of feed (T1), HimChelate-P at 500 g/ton of feed (T2), and comp-organic trace minerals (COTM) at 500 g/ton of feed (T3). On day 35, body weight was 2.28% and 3.51% higher in groups T2 and T3, respectively, than in T1. Food conversion ratio values revealed that birds supplemented with HimChelate-P and COTM consumed 15 g less feed and 47 g more feed per unit body weight gain than the ITM-supplemented group. Furthermore, the European production efficiency factor was 5.98% and 2.13% higher in groups T2 and T3, respectively, than in T1. Cumulative mortality was 50% and 25% less in groups T2 and T3, respectively, than in T1. Carcass traits, including live weight, carcass weight, and liver weight, were 3.52%, 5.09%, and 7.17% higher, respectively, in groups T2 than T1. The supplementation of HimChelate-P at 500 g/ton of feed was more effective at improving biochemical parameters than the supplementation of ITM and COTM. Serum Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease antibody titers indicated that the immune-modulation of HimChelate-P was better than that of ITM and COTM. Trace mineral content analysis in the serum, liver, tibia, and feces revealed that the trace minerals supplemented through HimChelate-P and COTM were less excreted than those from inorganic sources. Therefore, OTMs are more utilized by the organs of broiler birds. HimChelate-P at 500 g/ton of feed could be recommended to enhance growth performance, the overall health status, carcass traits, and immunity parameters in broiler chickens.

Infectious Bronchitis and Infectious Bursal Disease: Evaluation of Maternal Antibody Level on Day-Old Chick

The aim of this study was to determine the maternal antibody in terms of Infectious Bronchitis (IB) and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) in newly-hatched chicks at the spread of hatching time. 90 samples each of residual yolk sac and blood serum from newly-hatched chicks taken from three different periods of hatching hatch windows group (HW): HW-1 (33-23 h before pull chick); HW-2 (23-13 h before pull chick); and HW-3 (13 h before pull chick) were used in this study. Indirect ELISA method was performed to measure IB and IBD antibody titer. The values of IB and IBD titer were statistically analyzed using Two-Way ANOVA followed by LSD test. Interestingly, this study indicated that there was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between the three hatch window groups in terms of the yolk sac of IB and IBD maternal antibody level, but there was statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in terms of IB and IBD maternal antibody level in blood serum between the three HW groups. In sum, it can be concluded that HW-2 (23-13h before pull chick) is the most effective hatching time in terms of IB and IBD maternal antibody level.

Field assessment of the efficacy of M.B., LIBDV and Winterfield 2512 strain vaccines against infectious bursal disease in chickens

Live virus vaccines are very important parts of the prevention of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) in chickens. However, the successful IBD vaccination depends on IBD field pressure, vaccination technique, the immune status of the chicken, and especially IBDV strains used in the vaccines which are able to break through a higher level of maternal-derived antibodies (MDA). The objective of this field study was to compare the efficacy of a new vaccine based on M.B. strain to other commercial vaccines (LIBDV and winterfiled 2512) in terms of speed of antibody immune response and interference to Newcastle Disease (ND) vaccination. Six houses of broilers, each with 15,000 to 16,000 chickens, were divided into two groups: (1) vaccinated with M.B. strain (group A) and (2) vaccinated with LIBDV or 2512 strains (group B). Blood samples were collected prior to the 1st IBD vaccination, and at 21, 28 and 35 days of age for IBD and ND antibodies. Comparison of lesion scores and uniformity of the bursa of Fabricius (BF) at 28 and 35 days of age was carried out. Results showed that both groups had good immune responses, but group A showed significantly higher IBD antibody titers at 28 and 35 days of age. Antibody titers for ND and histopathological lesion scores of the BF were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The BF in group A was more uniform and had fewer lesions when compared with that in group B. In conclusion, the IBD vaccine with an M.B. strain can provide better immunological efficacy than LIBDV and 2512 strains.

Pathologic Diagnosis of Infectious Bursal Disease Outbreak In Vaccinated 3-week Old Pullet Chicks on A Small Scale Commercial Poultry Farm In Leleyi-kwali, Abuja, Nigeria: A Case Report

sudden mortality which lasted for seven days with the peak on the third day, was investigated in vaccinated 3-week old pullet chicks. Signs of depression, ruffled feathers, sneezing, huddling together and pasted vents with about 50% morbidity were observed. While chicks were off feed. Vaccination history against Marek’s and Newcastle diseases was reportedly up to date. The first dose of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) vaccination was done 12 days before the onset of the outbreak preparatory to the second dose. Detailed post mortem examinations showed multifocal petechial to ecchymotic haemorrhages on the breast and thigh muscles with swollen, oedematous and haemorrhagic bursa of Fabricius in affected chicks. The bursa of Fabricius showed diffuse lymphoid depletion with multifocal vacuolations and eosinophilic cystic follicles. Similar diffuse lymphoid depletion and cytoplasmic vacuolation with fibrinous exudation were also present in then spleen, Serological analysis revealed 88.23% IBD antibody positive sera in affected pullets 16 days after cessation of mortality. A diagnosis of Infectious Bursal Disease outbreak was made based on the observed pathological presentations along with the clinical signs, typical spiked mortality pattern, and serological titre. These findings highlighted the need for continuous pathological investigations as a ready diagnostic tool in vaccinated and unvaccinated pullet chicks in Nigeria where Infectious bursal disease has become endemic.

Field Assessment of an Immune-Complex Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine in Chicks Born to Non-Hyperimmunized Broiler Breeders

Prevention of infectious bursal disease (IBD) remains of paramount importance, given the dramatic losses it can induce in commercial chicken flocks. In the Netherlands, maternal immunity is regarded as low, because the parent stock flocks do not receive an inactivated vaccination prior to the onset of production. Therefore, the aim of this field study was to assess the consequences of hatchery vaccination against IBD using an immune-complex vaccine in broiler chicks that were provided with a limited amount of passive immunity. Three grow out cycles in two houses each (six flocks) were monitored after vaccination. The recorded parameters included (i) body and bursa weight, (ii) IBD antibody response, and (iii) histopathology and PCR from the bursa of Fabricius. Average growth was similar in all groups, although inferior to the breed’s standards. Average bursa weight faced some reduction as part of vaccine effect. Histopathology analysis of the bursa showed a transient inflammatory process, while PCR detected the vaccine strain only. Lastly, serology tests confirmed the successful immunization of all broiler flocks.

Assessment of antibody assay methods in determination of prevalence of infectious bursal disease among local chickens and guinea fowls in Kwara state, North Central Nigeria.

Aim:This study aimed to assess available assay methods for infectious bursal disease (IBD) diagnosis and seromonitoring in local birds. It also sought to know the prevalence of IBD antibodies among local chickens and guinea fowls in Kwara state, North Central Nigeria.Materials and Methods:Sera were obtained from local chickens and guinea fowls and IBD virus (IBDV) antibodies were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test, and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test.Results:A total of 265 sera were obtained from local birds during dry and wet seasons. ELISA recorded the highest prevalence of 81.1% (215/265) while IHA and AGID detected IBDV antibodies in 183 (69.1%) and 122 (46%) birds, respectively. Significant differences were established for IBD-positive sera based on the assay method used, bird species, and seasons.Conclusion:This study indicated that ELISA is the most sensitive and reliable assay method while AGID is the least. It also showed that there is a high prevalence of IBDV antibodies among local birds which were not vaccinated, and this implies a high IBDV activity among these bird species in the study area. This may have significant epidemiological implications on the spread of the virus to exotic bird reared in the rural areas on a commercial scale. Thus, this study suggests continuous surveillance, awareness campaign, and advocacy for vaccination of indigenous birds against IBD.

Serological survey of Infectious Bursal Disease Antibodies amongst birds in Keffi, Nassarawa State, Nigeria

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) is an acute, immunosuppressive disease of significant threat to the poultry industry in Nigeria and vaccination has been reported as the best method of control. This study was conducted between November and December 2015 to establish the occurrence of infectious bursal disease antibodies in exotic chickens from some selected backyard poultry farms and local chickens slaughtered in keffi central market, Nassarawa State. Sera collected randomly from two hundred birds were subjected to Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT) for qualitative analysis at the virology laboratory (FCVMLT), National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom. The assay showed 35% of exotic birds had IBD virus antibodies while local birds indicated absence of detectable antibodies with significant P&lt;0.05 breed association (Χ2= 42.5, df=2). However, there was no association (P&gt;0.05) with age in both breeds and IBDV antibodies (Χ2=0.802, 3.13, df=1). The presence of antibodies in exotic breeds suggests evidence of post vaccination protective antibodies due to sero-conversion rather than anti-IBDV antibodies associated with disease. Absence of infectious bursal disease virus antibodies in local birds suggests high vulnerability to potential IBD outbreaks posing a risk of financial losses to stakeholders. In conclusion, this sero-survey of Infectious bursal disease antibodies in exotic birds suggest evidence of vaccination and the need to vaccinate local birds. Awareness campaign program amongst rural and backyard poultry keepers in the study community on the need to protect their commercial exotic and free scavenging birds against infectious bursal disease is thus recommended.

Evaluation of humoral immune response, body weight and blood constituents of broilers supplemented with phytase on infectious bursal disease vaccination

AbstractPhytase inclusion in phosphorus (P) deficient diet increases the bioavailability of nutrients and plays, indirectly, a role in biological function of many metabolic processes. The possibility of using phytase in diet might influence immune, growth and blood performances of animals. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of local bacterial phytase on humoral immunity in association with weight and blood characteristics of infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccinated broilers. Male-day-old Cobb-broilers were assigned into four groups based on phytase treatments (0, 500, 1,000 and 1,500 fitase units per kg of diet) with 12 cages comprising three replicates per treatment, each treatment containing 15 birds. They were vaccinated with an IBD vaccine (IBD UPM93) and were fed formulating P (0.19%) deficient diet from 1 to 42 day of age. Results indicated that although serum IBD antibody, IgM, and IgG were not increased, mucosal IgA contents were increased with increasing phytase doses. Data on ...

The Pattern of Immunomodulation of ImmuPlus on the Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) Antibody of Vaccinated Broiler Chickens

The pattern of immunomodulation of immuplus R on the IBD antibody of vaccinated broiler chicken was investigated in this 70 day study. Immuplus R , a polyherbal formulation from Ayurved is purported to possess immunomodulatory properties. Ninety nine day old chicks divided into groups A, B, C were used for the study. Two groups, A and B were placed under Immuplus R , while group C served as the control. Group A was placed on pulse administration of Immuplus R , via drinking water, daily, for 10 days at a 10 day interval from day 8 to day 70. Group B was placed on daily oral administration of Immuplus R for the same duration of time. Group C was placed on water only, throughout the experiment. Twelve chickens were bled from each group and the sera harvested for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the evaluation of IBD antibody levels on a weekly basis. The weekly mean values of ELISA results obtained thus were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)and Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT).The treatment groups showed superior antibody response to the control groups for most of the week with significant differences (P<0.05) on the 6 th ’8th and 10 th weeks. The pulse treatment group exhibited inconsistent antibody response. Daily administration was found to enhance their antibody response to gumboro disease and may therefore be useful in its control. It appeared to have a slow onset of action and low residual effect hence the pulse administration of the supplement may not produce a good result.

Assessment of impact of a novel infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccination programme in breeders on IBD humoral antibody levels through the laying period

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess whether broiler breeders vaccinated in ovo with a Vaxxitek (HVT&IBD) (Merial) plus an inactivated IBD vaccine prior to the onset of lay...

The effect of dietary L-arginine intake on the level of antibody titer, the relative organ weight and colon motility in broilers.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) levels in diet at the starter, grower and finisher phases on immune response, organ development, nitric oxide (NO) metabolism and colon motility in broilers. A total of 500 one-day-old Ross-308 broiler chickens of mixed sex were separated into one Arg-deficient group and four experimental groups. Each group was then divided into five subgroups of 20 birds each. Arginine deficient group for all phases was fed a basal diet which contained 10% less L-Arg than optimum Arg requirement recommended by the breeder. Experimental groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with L-Arg which was progressively 10% increased in groups. Thus, the diet contained 90, 100, 110, 120 and 130% of optimum Arg requirement for each phases in groups, respectively. The highest serum infectious bursal disease antibody titer (IBD) was observed in the experimental group which was fed the diet containing 110% L-Arg at grower phase (P < 0.05), whereas Newcastle disease antibody titer did not differ between groups. The relative weight of spleen increased in groups which were fed the diet containing 120 and 130% L-Arg at starter phase as compared to Arg-deficient group (P < 0.05). The group which was fed the diet containing 110% L-Arg showed highest relative weight of bursa Fabricii at grower (P < 0.05) and finisher (P < 0.01) phases. It was observed that serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration decreased in Arg-deficient group (P < 0.05). The amplitude of spontaneous colon contractility did not differ between groups at the end of all three phases. However, the frequency of spontaneous colon contractility in the Arg deficient group was higher at starter (P<0.05), grower (P < 0.01) and finisher (P < 0.05) phases. These results suggest that the supplementation of L-Arg at higher level than optimum Arg requirement in broiler diet has minimal effect on parameters investigated in the study. However, L-Arg-deficiency may negatively affect immune response and the motility of gastrointestinal system due to disruption of NO metabolism at three phases.

Estimation of dietary threonine requirement for growth and immune responses of broilers

This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing threonine (Thr) at different levels in the diets on growth performance and immune responses of broiler chickens challenged with infectious bursal disease (IBD) and also to estimate Thr requirement based on different response criterion. A total of 300 one-day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to one of the six dietary treatments. Chickens were fed eight graded levels of Thr: 0.60, 0.67, 0.74, 0.81, 0.88 or 0.95% from day 21 to 42 of age. On day 28, all birds were challenged with a commercial live-IBDV vaccine. Body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass characterisation (breast, thigh and fat pad percentage) were significantly influenced by Thr levels. Increasing advisable level up to 0.81% of the diet resulted in significant improvement in the FCR and BWG. Thr supplementation had great effects on the antibody titer against IBD; the broilers receiving the Thr levels of higher than National Research Council (NRC) recommendation have a higher IBD antibody titer than those that received lower levels of Thr. The highest (0.8224±0.0211) and the lowest (0.7240±0.0140) were estimated with straight broken-line analysis for immune response (14 days post-challenge) and breast weight, respectively. The results obtained in the present study indicated that Thr requirements of broiler based on the recommendation of NRC are not sufficient to meet the requirement of the new commercial broiler companies under stress and non-hygienic conditions. The best level of Thr based on the current study was 0.81% for support growth performance and immune function.