Isolation and Characterization of Virulent Strain of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus from Broiler Birds in Bangladesh

Abstract

The bursa Fabricius of 50 dead broiler birds aged between 2 to 5 weeks were collected from three different private and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) poultry farms for isolation of infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus during the period from August to September 2002. Each of the collected bursa was stored at -20°C until processed for the isolation of virus in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cell culture. Of the 50 bursal samples cultured in the chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells, of which 40 (80%) bursal samples were found positive for IBD virus. Each of the 40 isolated IBD virus was characterized as IBD virus M6 strain using type specific polyclonal serum raised in chickens by agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGIDT). These isolated IBD virus M6 strain caused 100% mortality in five weeks old layer chickens on experimental infection through intramuscular route of inoculation. The results of this study indicate that the local isolates of IBD virus are associated with high mortality in chickens under both the natural and experimental conditions in Bangladesh.

Key words: Isolation, characterization; virulent strain; IBDV; broiler birds

doi: 10.3329/bjvm.v2i1.1930

Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2004). 2 (1) : 27-29