Infectious Bronchitis Virus Research Articles

Pathology and molecular detection of influenza Asubtype H9N2 virus in commercial poultry in Nigeria, 2024

Background: After the first Avian Influenza H5N1 outbreak in Nigerian poultry in 2006, subsequent waves of outbreaks occurred, causing substantial losses. Despite effective control measures by 2008, a resurgence in 2015 led to further losses and required depopulation efforts. Aim: The aim of this study was to do Pathology and molecular detection of influenza A subtype H9N2 virus in commercial poultry in Nigeria during 2024. Methods: In February 2024, a poultry farmer reported high mortality in his mixed commercial poultry flock in Ibadan, Nigeria, submitting carcasses to the University of Ibadan's V.T.H. and the FAO Regional Laboratory at NVRI, Vom. Results: Necropsy of nine Isa Brown layers and three Abor Acre broilers revealed cyanosis of comb and wattles, generalized petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhages including shank haemorrhages with sinusitis, pneumonia, and severe greenish faecal pasting also observed. At histopathology, denudation of the tracheal epithelia and parabronchial epithelial necrosis, obliteration, with airsac oedema and emphysema were observed. At NVRI, qPCR detected an Influenza A H9N2 virus in several pooled organ samples of layers, and broilers and eliminating the avian infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease viruses. Conclusion: This is the first report of H9N2 outbreak in commercial poultry in Southern Nigeria. The high pathogenicity shown in commercial poultry in this outbreak and the risk of dispersal of infected live poultry in Nigeria as previously seen in H5N1 require stakeholders’ intervention.

Molecular Genotyping and Pathogenicity Study for Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus Currently Epidemic in Chicken Flocks in Egypt during 2021

Molecular Genotyping and Pathogenicity Study for Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus Currently Epidemic in Chicken Flocks in Egypt during 2021

An Overview of Future Development Methods of Infectious Bronchitis Vaccines

Vaccines are major disease-controlling tools in human and animal practices. Vaccination controlled or even eradicated a long list of diseases worldwide. Classic viral vaccines are usually composed of live or inactivated whole viruses and have been produced for many years. However, they are unsuccessful, especially in persistent infections, fast-evolving viruses, complex and compound antigens, and emerging agents. Novel vaccine development technologies such as DNA, protein, or viral vector vaccines have revolutionized vaccine development and opened a new horizon for study and research in vaccine research and production vision. Newly-developed vaccines, or even most traditional ones, are based on new technologies, especially in human diseases where cost and complications in production can be ignored. However, in animal health, especially for commercial poultry production, the cost of development, simplicity, and mass application of large-scale production cannot be overlooked. In recent years, the significance of producing novel vaccines has been highlighted in parallel with technological advancement, especially with emerging novel variants of infectious bronchitis viruses—serious poultry pathogens for years. In this review, we will introduce some studies on novel vaccine development techniques and investigate the results of those vaccines in the protection of chickens and their clinical outcomes.

Molecular Characterization and Pathotyping of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus in some Egyptian provinces

Molecular Characterization and Pathotyping of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus in some Egyptian provinces

Whole genome sequencing analysis of avian infectious bronchitis virus isolated in Hung Yen province in 2021

Infectious bronchitis is an acute disease in chickens caused by the Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV). The disease causes serious economic losses in many countries in the world that have chicken farming industries. Even though vaccines have been used, the disease is still very complicated in many provinces and cities in Vietnam. The reason is that the virus strains causing the disease in the field have many changes compared to the vaccine virus strains. Research showed that there are numerous strains and genotypes of IBV in Vietnam. However, only the S1 gene has been studied, and no research has been done on the full genome. In this study, the IBV strain causing disease in 2021 in Hung Yen Province (North Vietnam) was sequenced and analyzed for molecular characteristics. The analysis results showed that strain IBHYM belongs to genotype QX-like (GI-19) and has a close relationship with Chinese IBV strains. The IBHYM strain has higher nucleotide and amino acid similarities with strains of genotype QX-like (87.5% to 95% for nucleotide and 80.2% to 91.3% for amino acid) and the lowest similarity to strains of genotype TC07-like (70.4% to 70.5% for nucleotide and 53.8% to 56.2% for amino acid). The field pathogenic virus strains also have low nucleotide and amino acid similarity with the Massachusetts vaccine strain currently in use (86% for nucleotide and 77.1% for amino acid). Research results show the importance of molecular epidemiological surveillance and the selection of appropriate vaccine strains in Vietnam. This is the first report of sequencing the whole IBV genome in Vietnam.

Molecular identification of the common viral respiratory viruses in backyard chickens in Basrah, Southern Iraq

Many viruses can infect different types of birds, with poultry being the most susceptible. These viral diseases have a direct negative impact on the poultry industry, with significant economic losses. This study examined a group of the most important viruses that infect backyard chickens in 2 specific areas of Basrah Governorate, south of Iraq. The study analyzed avian influenza viruses (AIVs), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Two hundred and ninety oropharyngeal swabs, 150 from Abu Al-Khasib and 140 from Shatt Al-Arab regions in the Basrah governorate, were obtained from backyard chickens with clear respiratory signs. The samples were subjected to viral RNA extraction, and the viral nucleic acids were detected using an RT-PCR technique. The overall rate of viral infections was 74.8%, which varied depending on the type of virus: 15.8%, 31.3%, and 27.5% for AIV, NDV, and IBV, respectively. The NDV and IBV had much higher infection rates than that of AIV. In addition, the prevalence of AIV in the Shatt Al Arab district was significantly higher than in the Abul Khasib district. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the NDV and the IBV distributions in either of the targeted regions in this study.

Epidemiological and Molecular identification study of infectious bronchitis virus isolations from broiler chickens in Nineveh governorate

One of the most dreadful infectious viral disease that cause great economic losses for the poultry industry is the infectious bronchitis IB. The present study conducted to epidemiology and the molecular sequences of infectious bronchitis virus from broiler chickens’ fields in Nineveh governorate. The study covered seven regions around the Mosul city included (Al Msayed, Badoosh, Al?Qayara, Wanna, Basheeka, Al-shalalat , Al-hamdanya, and Bartalla) for the period extends from September 2022 to May 2023. The result recorded 16 suspected cases of IB. 14 of them have been diagnosed as IB virus by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction (Nested PCR). Most of the infections were in October and March, five cases of them were recorded in October, four cases in March, two conditions in September, and one case in other months of the study. (PCR), showed that the causative agent of IB in Al?Msayed, Badoosh, Al-Qayara, Wanna, Basheeka, Al shalalat , Al-hamdanya, and Bartalla) was from strain(AAS-IB01M Result showed a new strain which was submitted to the GenBank of the (NCBI) to be registered

Seroprevalence and molecular characterisation of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in broiler farms in Sabah, Malaysia.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is classified as a highly contagious viral agent that causes acute respiratory, reproductive and renal system pathology in affected poultry farms. Molecular and serological investigations are crucial for the accurate diagnosis and management of IBV. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of IBV and to characterise the circulating IBV in poultry farms in Sabah Province, Malaysia. To determine IBV antibodies, a total of 138 blood samples and 50 organ samples were collected from 10 commercial broiler flocks in 3 different farms by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (IDEXX Kit) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by sequencing. A total of 94.2% (130/138) of the samples were seropositive for IBV in the vaccinated flock, and 38% (52/138) of the birds was the IBV titre for infection. The selected seropositive samples for IBV were confirmed by RT-PCR, with 22% (11/50) being IBV positive amplified and sequenced by targeted highly conserved partial nucleocapsid (N) genes. Subsequently, phylogenetic analysis constructed using amplified sequences again exposed the presence of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Chinese QX variants circulating in poultry farms in Sabah, Malaysia. The unexpectedly increasing mean titres in serology indicated that post infection of IBV and highly prevalent IBV in selected farms in this study. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of multiple IBV variants circulating in Malaysian chicken farms in Sabah, which further monitoring of genetic variation are needed to better understand the genetic diversity.

Spike Glycoprotein 1 Partial Gene Analysis of GI-19 (QX-like) Infectious Bronchitis Virus Isolated and Propagated from Breeder, Broiler, and Layer Chickens in Java Region

This study aims to identify and characterize receptor binding sites (RBS) and antigenic sites (HVR-I and II) of the S1 gene fragment of the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) isolated and propagated from commercial chickens in Java Region to monitor recent circulating virus. The samples in this study were the organs which indicated infectious bronchitis infection. The stages of this research consisted of making virus suspensions, isolation, and propagation, as well as molecular detection and characterization of viruses. Virus isolation and propagation were carried out on chicken embryonated eggs aged 11 days via the allantoic route. Culture confirmation was performed by RT-PCR of the S1 gene fragment, followed by sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The 168-hour propagation was observed in both dwarfed and curled embryos of two isolates from 11 isolates detected as IBV-positive. Phylogenetic tree construction resulted in all isolates being grouped as GI-19 genotype (QX-like). Amino acid identity among QX-like strains was calculated at 87–100%. A total of 210 predicted amino acid residues were observed, including 31 substitutions and 2 deletions. Conclusions of this study were identified and characterized as GI-19 genotype (QX-like) IBV with amino acid changes on S1 fragment from breeder, broiler, and layer chickens in Java Region.

Metatranscriptomic data mining together with microfluidic card uncovered the potential pathogens and seasonal RNA viral ecology in a drinking water source.

Despite metatranscriptomics becoming an emerging tool for pathogen surveillance, very little is known about the feasibility of this approach for understanding the fate of human-derived pathogens in drinking water sources. We conducted multiplexed microfluidic cards and metatranscriptomic sequencing of the drinking water source in a border city of North Korea in four seasons. Microfluidic card detected norovirus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), enterovirus, and Vibrio cholerae in the water. Phylogenetic analyses showed that environmental-derived sequences from norovirus GII.17, genotype C of HBV, and coxsackievirus A6 (CA6) were genetically related to the local clinical isolates. Meanwhile, metatranscriptomic assembly suggested that several bacterial pathogens, including Acinetobacter johnsonii and V. cholerae might be prevalent in the studied region. Metatranscriptomic analysis recovered 349 species-level groups with substantial viral diversity without detection of norovirus, HBV, and CA6. Seasonally distinct virus communities were also found. Specifically, 126, 73, 126, and 457 types of viruses were identified in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. The viromes were dominated by the Pisuviricota phylum, including members from Marnaviridae, Dicistroviridae, Luteoviridae, Potyviridae, Picornaviridae, Astroviridae, and Picobirnaviridae families. Further phylogenetic analyses of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequences showed a diverse set of picorna-like viruses associated with shellfish, of which several novel picorna-like viruses were also identified. Additionally, potential animal pathogens, including infectious bronchitis virus, Bat dicibavirus, Bat nodavirus, Bat picornavirus 2, infectious bursal disease virus, and Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus were also identified. Our data illustrate the divergence between microfluidic cards and metatranscriptomics, highlighting that the combination of both methods facilitates the source tracking of human viruses in challenging settings without sufficient clinical surveillance.

Phylogenetic evolution and impact on the immunogenic response of the Avian Infectious Bronchitis virus

Avian Infectious Bronchitis (IAB) is a viral disease that generates great economic losses in the poultry industry. Due to its structural components and particular immunogenic characteristics, the IB virus, the chicken coronavirus (Gallus gallus), has generated a great challenge for its control, given the emergence of different genotypes with global distribution with changing clinical manifestations. This has generated interest in the study and analysis of the dynamics of the phylogenetic evolution of the virus, as well as the impact on immunological activity, requiring the development of new vaccine strains based on the high variability of the S1 gene portion 1. In the present review, updated information on the phylogenetic evolution of IAV was compiled and the impact on the immunogenic response in poultry production systems is analysed.

Low-temperature exposure in early embryogenesis as a way of increasing the resistance of chicks to infectious diseases

The article is devoted to the problem of increasing the resistance of chicks from hatching to the age of 3 weeks to infectious diseases by technological methods. Dosed low-temperature exposure to the embryo during the sensitive period of early embryogenesis was proposed as an impact factor; influenza vaccine virus was used as a test virus for experimental infection of embryos. It was found that in the embryos after cooling, the titer of the virus was significantly lower by 1.5-12.0 times (p<0.001) compared with the control. This fact indicates a decrease in the replicative activity of viral strains in embryos of this group. In chicken embryos of Russian Snow-White breed after cooling, there was a decrease in the infectious activity of the influenza A virus by 11.5 %, as well as a decrease in the infectious activity of the infectious bronchitis virus by 3.6-6.9 %, depending on the breed of the embryos. The level of chick resistance in the experimental group to diseases of bacterial etiology was also higher, as evidenced by the higher safety of 3-week-old chicks (0.8-1.1 % higher than in the control) and a higher bursa index in 12-day-old chicks (8.5-9.0 % higher than in the control). The hatchability of eggs of the experimental group was also 4.5 % higher than in the control. The effects obtained as a result of hypothermic exposure during this sensitive period of embryogenesis can be explained by inducing the production of heat and cold shock proteins by the embryo, which, in turn, activate innate antiviral reactions caused by major histocompatibility complex. However, this issue requires additional study with the involvement of molecular genetics methods, since the supposed mechanisms that cause an increase in resistance in response to low-temperature exposure in early ontogenesis need to be confirmed.

The role of IBV PL1pro in virus replication and suppression of host innate immune responses

BackgroundCoronavirus papain-like proteases (PLpros) play a crucial role in virus replication and the evasion of the host immune response. Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) encodes a proteolytically defective remnant of PL1pro and an active PL2pro. However, the function of PL1pro in IBV remains largely unknown. This study aims to explore the effect of PL1pro on virus replication and underlying mechanisms.ResultsThe recombinant viruses rIBV-ΔPL1pro and rIBV-ΔPL1pro-N were obtained using reverse genetic techniques through the deletion of the IBV PL1pro domain and the N-terminal conserved sequence of PL1pro (PL1pro-N). We observed significantly lower replication of rIBV-ΔPL1pro and rIBV-ΔPL1pro-N than wild-type IBV. Further investigation revealed that the lack of PL1pro-N in IBV decreased virus resistance to interferon (IFN) while also inducing host immune response by enhancing the production of IFN-β and activating the downstream STAT1 signaling pathway of IFNs. In addition, the overexpression of PL1pro-N significantly suppressed type I IFN response by down-regulating the expressions of genes in the IFN pathway.ConclusionsOur data demonstrated that IBV PL1pro plays a crucial role in IBV replication and the suppression of host innate immune responses, suggesting that IBV PL1pro could serve as a promising molecular target for antiviral therapy.

Synergistic anti-infectious bronchitis virus activity of Phillygenin combined Baicalin by modulating respiratory microbiota and improving metabolic disorders

Phillygenin (PHI) and Baicalin (Bai) are the major chemical ingredients extracted from Forsythia suspensa and Scutellaria baicalensis, respectively. The mixture of Forsythia suspensa and Scutellaria baicalensis according to the theories of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, compounded formulation can effectively exert heat-clearing and detoxifying effect, but the synergistic anti-IBV activity of PHI combined with Bai was unclear. Here, the protection of PHI combined with Bai on avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) M41 infection and the change of respiratory microbiota and metabolomics profiles in broilers that infected with IBV were investigated. According to the experimental findings, the combination of PHI and Bai effectively alleviated broilers' slowing-growth weight and respiratory symptoms. This was accompanied by a reduction in viral copies and histopathological changes, as well as an increase of antiviral protein (G3BP1) level in tracheas and anti-IBV antibody levels in serum. In addition, 16s RNA sequencing revealed that IBV infection significantly changed respiratory microbiota composition at different taxonomic levels and respiratory metabolism composition in broilers. Interestingly, PHI combined with Bai modulated the composition of respiratory microfloras, especially the abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillaceae were upregulated, as well as the abundance of Proteobacteria was downregulated. The metabolomics results indicated that PHI combined with Bai involved in glucose, lipids, amino acids and nucleotide metabolism during IBV infection. In summary, PHI combined with Bai exhibited a synergistic effect on preventing infectious bronchitis (IB), with the protection being closely associated with the composition of respiratory microbiota and metabolites. Therefore, adding the mixture of PHI and Bai to the chicken drinking water is recommended to prevent and control IB in clinical.

Molecular and Pathological Investigation of Infectious Bronchitis in Broiler Flocks in Sulaimani Province, Iraq

This research's goal was to examine the molecular analysis and pathological lesions linked to IBV infection in flocks of naturally infected broiler chickens from non-vaccinated and vaccinated (H120, MA5+IB 4-91) flocks. One hundred sixteen birds were collected in Sulaimani provinces between November 2021 and July 2022 from various broiler chicken flocks of vaccinated (H120, MA5+IB 4-91) and non-vaccinated birds who suffered from respiratory illness. Viral isolation and PCR were used to confirm the infection. The majority of the necropsied birds showed congested trachea and the presence of mucus with caseated debris at the bifurcation. There was a white precipitate in the ureters, also the kidneys were enlarged and congested. Sequencing of the S1 glycoprotein gene revealed that four isolates found and after phylogenetic analysis of the strains' deduced amino acid sequences indicated that they had a close relationship with the Iranian strains MG013972 and MG013973 as well as the Iraqi strain MH747093. The non-vaccinated chickens' histopathological evaluation of all organs was more severe than that of the vaccinated chicks, with catarrhal exudate obstructing the tracheal lumen and tracheal epithelium undergoing hyperplasia to squamous metaplasia. In lung sections, catarrhal exudate partially to completely blocked the parabronchial lumen and the intrabronchial septa thickened due to alveolar capillary congestion, and an inflammatory reaction. Mild to severe glomerulonephritis with considerable collecting epithelial cell degeneration was seen in the kidney segment. Finally, it can be said that the infectious bronchitis virus is a significant contributor to the respiratory and/or renal issues affecting the flocks of broiler chickens in Sulaimani Province.

Comparison of quantitative PCR and digital PCR assays for quantitative detection of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) genome

The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technique is an extensively used molecular tool for the detection and quantification of viral genome load. However, since the qPCR assay is a relative quantification method that relies on an external calibration curve it has a lower assay precision and sensitivity. The digital PCR (dPCR) technique is a good alternative to the qPCR assay as it offers highly precise and direct quantification of viral genome load in samples. In this study, performance characteristics such as the quantification range, sensitivity, precision, and specificity of the dPCR technique was compared to qPCR technique for the detection and quantification of IBV genome loads in serial dilutions of IBV positive plasmid DNA, and IBV infected chicken tissue and swab samples. The quantification range of the qPCR assay was wider than that of the dPCR assay, however dPCR had a higher sensitivity compared to qPCR. The precision of quantification of DNA in plasmid samples in terms of repeatability and reproducibility of results was higher when using the dPCR assay compared to qPCR assay. The quantification results of IBV genome load in infected samples by the qPCR and dPCR assays displayed a high correlation. Hence, our findings suggest that dPCR could be used in avian virology research for improved precision and sensitivity in detection and quantification of viral genome loads.

Epidemic and vaccine of avian infectious bronchitis virus in China

Epidemic and vaccine of avian infectious bronchitis virus in China

Optimizing electrochemical DNA biosensors for the detection of avian infectious bronchitis virus

Optimizing electrochemical DNA biosensors for the detection of avian infectious bronchitis virus

Assessment of Commercial Bivalent Inactivated Newcastle Disease Virus and Infectious Bronchitis Virus Vaccines against Prevalent Isolates in Egypt

Assessment of Commercial Bivalent Inactivated Newcastle Disease Virus and Infectious Bronchitis Virus Vaccines against Prevalent Isolates in Egypt

Monitoring of bronchiolar lesions and their relation with Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Infectious bronchitis virus infections in broilers with severe respiratory distress

Monitoring of bronchiolar lesions and their relation with Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Infectious bronchitis virus infections in broilers with severe respiratory distress