Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the antibodies of IBDV in some poultry species in Maiduguri, Nigeria. A total of 944 serum samples were collected from village chickens, broilers, layers, ducks, turkeys and geese in Maiduguri and tested for IBDV antibodies using inzyme linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a seroprevalence of 46.6% was recorded.  The species distribution showed that 33.4% of local chickens (134/401), 67.3% of layers (35/52), 50.8% of broilers (159/313), 60.6% of turkeys (77/127), 65.5% of ducks (19/29) and 72.7% of geese (16/22) sampled were positive for IBDV antibodies. Males showed a seroprevalence of 70% while females recorded 30%. IBDV seropositive sera showed that samples from broilers reacted with 31.5% middle OD values and turkeys with 9.4% middle OD values. Samples from other species reacted with lower OD values. Samples from other species reacted with lower OD values. Presence of IBDV antibodies in species other than chickens suggested that different bird species might have IBDV and could serve as reservoirs for IBDV transmission. Because of this threat to poultry industry, there is need for continuous surveillance of IBDV in all poultry species so as to institute effective preventive measures against the disease.

Keywords: ELISA, Infectious bursal disease virus, IgG, Poultry species, Serum samples