Journal of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Journal of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
(ISSN: 2635 – 3067)
Volume 1, No. 1, 2018
Pages 34-42
DOI:10.36108/jvbs/8102.10.0150
Serological survey of Infectious Bursal Disease Antibodies amongst birds in Keffi, Nassarawa State, Nigeria
*Olabode H.O. K 1., Ameh J. A1., Abraham S. U.,1 and Elayo S. A.2
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja
2Department of Virology, Federal College of Animal and Medical laboratory, N.V.R.I Vom
ABSTRACT
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<0.05 breed association (Χ2= 42.5, df=2). However, there was no association (P>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.
Keywords: Infectious bursal disease, Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT), birds, Keffi.