Outbreak of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) with concurrent colibacillosis in a poultry farm in Jos, Plateau-Nigeria: A report of laboratory diagnosis and management

This clinical case report documented the laboratory diagnosis of infectious bursal disease and colibacillosis in a flock of 4,000, 3-week-old isa brown chickens in Jos, Nigeria. The diagnosis was established based on a combination of clinical history, gross and histopathologic findings, serologic analysis, bacterial culture and identification, and molecular detection of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) from affected bursal tissues. Key gross and histopathologic lesions observed included enlargement of the bursa of Fabricius, ecchymotic and suffusive haemorrhages in the thigh and pectoral muscles, along with oedema, necrosis, and lymphoid depletion in the bursal lymphoid tissues. Serologic testing demonstrated low antibody titres against IBDV, indicating a poor immune response in the affected birds. PCR detection confirmed the presence of a 743bp fragment of the VP2 gene of IBDV. Based on these findings, the outbreak was confirmed as Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro) complicated by concurrent colibacillosis. The remaining birds were treated with V-ox® (Ceva, India), a virucide formulation administered at a dose of 1g/L of drinking water, alongside an oral Pen-Provit WSP® (Penicillin G-procaine+streptomycin sulphate + vitamins + folic acid + Ca d-pantothenate +nicotinic acid) (KEPRO, Kuipersweg, The Netherlands) preparation at 1g/L of drinking water for 10 consecutive days. Following treatment, a total of 1,848 birds survived. The outcomes highlighted the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach, combining clinical history, postmortem examination, microbial culture and susceptibility testing, serologic evaluation, and molecular diagnostics, for the reliable identification and effective management of concurrent infectious bursal disease and colibacillosis outbreaks in poultry production systems.