Immunosuppressive potential and pathogenicity of a recent isolate of infectious bursal disease virus in commercial broiler chickens.
At 15 days of age and in the presence of measurable levels of maternal antibody against infectious bursal disease virus serotype I (1:170 virus-neutralization geometric mean titer), a recent isolate (U-28) and a prototype virulent isolate (Edgar) of the same virus caused subclinical infections in commercial broiler chickens. Isolate U-28 caused a significant reduction in the size of the bursa of Fabricius, whereas the Edgar isolate produced splenomegaly. Both isolates reduced the serological response to Newcastle disease virus. The experimental immunosuppressive potential and pathogenicity of isolate U-28 in broiler chickens confirms the role of this virus in recent infectious bursal disease outbreaks.
Rosales
A G
AG
Department of Avian Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
Villegas
P
P
Lukert
P D
PD
Fletcher
O J
OJ
Brown
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007243:Infectious bursal disease virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D009522:Newcastle disease virus / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size; D012087:Reoviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012088:Reoviridae Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014774:Virulence