Sero-prevalence of infectious bronchitis antibodies in local chickens in live bird markets in Sokoto State, Nigeria

A total of 161 apparently healthy male and female, grower and adult local chickens were sampled from Live bird Markets (LMB) in four Agricultural zones of the State; Gwadabawa, Tambuwal, Isa and Sokoto. They were screened for antibodies to infectious bronchitis virus using Enzyme linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). The results obtained showed that the overall prevalence for the State was 89%, the seroprevalence was 88.89% in males and 89.00 % in females, 91.50% in adults and 70.00% in growers sampled. No significant difference was obtained between male and female chickens tested (χ2 >0.05) but significant difference was obtained in adult and grower chickens (χ2 < 0.05). No routine vaccination against infectious bronchitis is usually carried out in the area; the high prevalence observed may suggest natural infection. Efforts should be made to determine strains of IBV circulating in the study area so as to enable the choice of appropriate vaccine.