Pathological and molecular investigation of infectious bronchitis in broilers: analyzing the impact of biosecurity lapses
IntroductionInfectious Bronchitis (IB) is an acute, highly contagious disease of poultry that leads to significant economic losses in intensive production systems. Preventive biosecurity measures are essential to control its spread, particularly in broiler farms. This study aimed to investigate the...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| author | Jelena Maletić Nemanja Jezdimirović Ljiljana Spalević Bojan Milovanović Ana Vasić Jasna Kureljušić Branislav Kureljušić |
| author_facet | Jelena Maletić Nemanja Jezdimirović Ljiljana Spalević Bojan Milovanović Ana Vasić Jasna Kureljušić Branislav Kureljušić |
| author_sort | Jelena Maletić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionInfectious Bronchitis (IB) is an acute, highly contagious disease of poultry that leads to significant economic losses in intensive production systems. Preventive biosecurity measures are essential to control its spread, particularly in broiler farms. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between IB outbreaks and biosecurity practices on a broiler farm.MethodsThe farm, housing 96,000 broilers, experienced increased mortality (over 11%) during two consecutive production cycles. Consequently, serological, pathological, molecular and biosecurity investigations were conducted.ResultsDespite a vaccination program using two types of live vaccines (Massachusetts serotype and serotype 793B), serological testing revealed elevated antibody titers against the IB virus, suggesting exposure to a wild viral strain. Necropsy revealed various lesions, including hemorrhagic tracheitis, pulmonary hyperemia, fibrinous pericarditis, splenomegaly, and ascites. Histopathological findings showed necrotic tracheitis, multifocal hepatitis, and purulent bronchopneumonia. By PCR IB viral RNA was detected in all 24 swabs and tissue samples. Biosecurity evaluation revealed significant deficiencies in both external and internal measures, including improper cross-contamination prevention, inadequate flock management, and insufficient vaccination strategies.DiscussionThese biosecurity deficiencies, coupled with the inadequate selection of vaccines not tailored to the prevalent serotypes in the local area, allowed for the introduction and spread of wild IB virus strains. This highlights the critical importance of robust, well-implemented biosecurity protocols in preventing IB on poultry farms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8c61e74a3692480da042b5caa6bb278d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-8c61e74a3692480da042b5caa6bb278d2025-08-20T02:45:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-02-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15482481548248Pathological and molecular investigation of infectious bronchitis in broilers: analyzing the impact of biosecurity lapsesJelena Maletić0Nemanja Jezdimirović1Ljiljana Spalević2Bojan Milovanović3Ana Vasić4Jasna Kureljušić5Branislav Kureljušić6Department of Epizootiology and Health Care of Poultry and Birds, Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia, Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment of Epizootiology, Clinical Pathology, Pathological Morphology and Reproduction, Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia, Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment of Epizootiology and Health Care of Poultry and Birds, Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia, Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment of Epizootiology, Clinical Pathology, Pathological Morphology and Reproduction, Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia, Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment of Bacteriology and Parasitology, Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia, Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment of Food and Feed Safety, Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia, Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment of Epizootiology, Clinical Pathology, Pathological Morphology and Reproduction, Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia, Belgrade, SerbiaIntroductionInfectious Bronchitis (IB) is an acute, highly contagious disease of poultry that leads to significant economic losses in intensive production systems. Preventive biosecurity measures are essential to control its spread, particularly in broiler farms. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between IB outbreaks and biosecurity practices on a broiler farm.MethodsThe farm, housing 96,000 broilers, experienced increased mortality (over 11%) during two consecutive production cycles. Consequently, serological, pathological, molecular and biosecurity investigations were conducted.ResultsDespite a vaccination program using two types of live vaccines (Massachusetts serotype and serotype 793B), serological testing revealed elevated antibody titers against the IB virus, suggesting exposure to a wild viral strain. Necropsy revealed various lesions, including hemorrhagic tracheitis, pulmonary hyperemia, fibrinous pericarditis, splenomegaly, and ascites. Histopathological findings showed necrotic tracheitis, multifocal hepatitis, and purulent bronchopneumonia. By PCR IB viral RNA was detected in all 24 swabs and tissue samples. Biosecurity evaluation revealed significant deficiencies in both external and internal measures, including improper cross-contamination prevention, inadequate flock management, and insufficient vaccination strategies.DiscussionThese biosecurity deficiencies, coupled with the inadequate selection of vaccines not tailored to the prevalent serotypes in the local area, allowed for the introduction and spread of wild IB virus strains. This highlights the critical importance of robust, well-implemented biosecurity protocols in preventing IB on poultry farms.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1548248/fullinfectious bronchitisbiosecuritybroilerpathologyfarm |
| spellingShingle | Jelena Maletić Nemanja Jezdimirović Ljiljana Spalević Bojan Milovanović Ana Vasić Jasna Kureljušić Branislav Kureljušić Pathological and molecular investigation of infectious bronchitis in broilers: analyzing the impact of biosecurity lapses Frontiers in Veterinary Science infectious bronchitis biosecurity broiler pathology farm |
| title | Pathological and molecular investigation of infectious bronchitis in broilers: analyzing the impact of biosecurity lapses |
| title_full | Pathological and molecular investigation of infectious bronchitis in broilers: analyzing the impact of biosecurity lapses |
| title_fullStr | Pathological and molecular investigation of infectious bronchitis in broilers: analyzing the impact of biosecurity lapses |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pathological and molecular investigation of infectious bronchitis in broilers: analyzing the impact of biosecurity lapses |
| title_short | Pathological and molecular investigation of infectious bronchitis in broilers: analyzing the impact of biosecurity lapses |
| title_sort | pathological and molecular investigation of infectious bronchitis in broilers analyzing the impact of biosecurity lapses |
| topic | infectious bronchitis biosecurity broiler pathology farm |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1548248/full |
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