Clinico-pathological Investigations of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) in Poultry Flocks of Durg and Raipur District Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) continues to pose a major challenge to poultry production owing to its pronounced immunosuppressive impact. A clinico-pathological investigation was conducted on IBD-suspected chicken flocks in Durg and Raipur districts of Chhattisgarh between September 2018 and August 2019. Among 21 reported outbreaks, three cases were confirmed based on characteristic post-mortem lesions, with observed mortality rates varying from 9.2% to 11.2%. Prominent gross pathological findings comprised an enlarged, edematous, and hemorrhagic Bursa of Fabricius, accompanied by muscular hemorrhages and renal lesions indicative of nephrosis. Microscopic examination demonstrated marked lymphoid depletion within the bursal follicles and the formation of cystic cavities. Hematological evaluation showed significant elevations in hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, and total leukocyte count, along with pronounced heterophilia and lymphopenia. The persistence of clinical cases in both vaccinated and unvaccinated flocks indicates ongoing viral circulation in the region. These observations emphasize the need for strengthened biosecurity measures and revised vaccination protocols to reduce economic losses and improve flock health management in the regional poultry sector.