Serological Survey of Infectious Bronchitis Virus in Chickens in Sokoto State Nigeria

In the present study, blood samples were collected from 400 chickens and sera harvested for serology using an IgG based indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This research aimed at determining the prevalence of antibodies to infectious bronchitis virus in chickens in sokoto state Nigeria. The samples were collected from selected areas in each of the four Agricultural zones of Sokoto State. The overall sero-prevalence obtained was 346 (86.50%). The sero-prevalence of infectious bronchitis viral antibodies in indigenous and exotic chickens was 88.72% and 84.39% respectively, chi square showed no significant relationship between the two groups, the chi value was 1.603 and P value was 0.205 (>0.05%). In young and adult chickens sampled, the sero-prevalence was 89.50% and 82.87% respectively, chi square showed significant relationship between the two age groups with chi value 3.179 and P value 0.038 (<0.05), binary logistic regression for the two age groups showed no significant association with P= 0.09 (>0.05). The result in male and female chickens tested was 86.88% and 86.17% positives respectively showing slightly higher positives in males than in females with no significant statistical relationship using chi square, chi value was 0,043 and P value 0.836 (>0.05%). This study has provided an update on sero-prevalence of IBV in Sokoto State. It was concluded that there was high sero-prevalence of IBV in the chickens sampled in the State. General survey of the virus in the entire region where Sokoto belongs (Northwestern Nigeria) or the country as a whole is recommended, so as to have a clearer picture of IB and Veterinarians probably consider vaccination as a mean of prevention of the disease, and vaccine be produced using local strains