Isolation and Identification of Avian Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus in Sudan

Abstract

Three outbreaks of mild respiratory disease of chickens were occurred in Sudan during winter, one of which at Halfaya in Khartoum State on December 2010 and two other at Atbara on January 2011. The main respiratory signs of these outbreaks were rales, coughing with nasal and oral discharge, depression, conjunctivitis and swollen head and sinuses in some cases. The affected flocks were varied in age from 5 to 18 months, and they were from different layer breeds (Bovans, Hyline 98, Lohman and Hisex). Also, birds showing respiratory signs were obtained from different farms in Khartoum State at Shambat and Dekheinat. Using embryonated chicken eggs and chicken embryo liver (CELi) cell culture, 5 Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) virus field isolates (At1, At2, Hf, Sh1 and D2) were isolated from organs such as tracheas, larynx, lungs and tracheal swabs. The isolates were identified as an ILT virus by means of agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test and histopathological examination of infected chorioallantoic membrane segments. This is the first report of the isolation of ILT virus in Sudan.