Quail bronchitis 

Occurrence: Worldwide

Species affected: Bobwhite quail (Colinus viginianus).

Age affected: Mostly young.

Causes: Quail bronchitis virus in an unenveloped double-stranded DNA serotype I avian adenovirus. It is spread by the airborne route.

 

Effects: There is a 2-7 day incubation period. Signs include coughing, sneezing, huddling, depression, lachrymation (weeping eyes), conjunctivitis and neurological signs (tremors and paralysis).

 

Detailed causes:

Mostly young bobwhite quail are susceptible to this acute to chronic disease. The agent involved in the aetiology of this disease is an Adenovirus, which is an unenveloped, icosahedral double-stranded DNA virus, that replicates in the nucleus forming basophilic inclusion bodies.

 

Mode of transmission

It is spread by airborne route.

 

Special note

It may cause immunosuppression.

 

Clinical signs:

(There is a 2-7 day incubation period). Signs include coughing, sneezing, huddling, depression, lacrimation, conjunctivitis and neurological signs (tremors and paralysis).

 

Postmortem lesions

Lesions include mucous in the trachea or bronchi, cloudy air sacs and corneas, and sinusitis.

 

Foci in liver, spleen swollen and mottled, lungs are reddened and consolidated, and atrophy of bursa of Fabricius can be seen.

 

Diagnosis:

Isolation of virus from trachea in embryonated eggs is important. Neutralisation of virus with specific sera is also helpful. It simulates Aspergillosis, and Newcastle Disease.

 

Treatment and control:

Prevention

Biosecurity and sanitation are helpful to control the disease.

 

Treatment

Broad-spectrum antibiotics for secondary invaders are also helpful.

 

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