A primary epidemic of inclusion body hepatitis in broilers

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) was diagnosed in 15 broiler flocks supplied by one breeder in the South Island of New Zealand. The affected flocks suffered mortality up to 30%. Malaise and slightly increased mortality were noticed by growers from about day 12 post-hatch; mortality peaked in the fourth week, and, in most flocks, declined to normally accepted levels from day 33 on. Gross signs seen at necropsy usually included bone-marrow aplasia, atrophy of the bursa of Fabricius and the thymus, and swollen hemorrhagic livers with focal necrosis. Jaundice was seen in many surviving birds. In some flocks, there was also proventricular hemorrhage, mild tracheitis, and airsacculitis. Downgrading and condemnation rates were increased in all flocks. Eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were seen in hepatocytes of some affected birds. An adenovirus was isolated from a number of cases investigated. The disease in broilers was preceded by production drops associated with feed refusal and increased mortality in the breeder stock.