Concurrent Infections of Poultry with Chicken Infectious Anaemia and Infectious Bursal Disease Viruses in Maiduguri, Nigeria: A Seroprevalence Study

Chicken infectious anaemia virus (CAV) and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) are significant pathogens causing severe economic losses in the global poultry industry. In this study, serum samples from village chickens, broilers, layers, ducks, turkeys and geese in Maiduguri were tested for CAV and IBDV antibodies using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the 944 serum samples tested, 309 (32.7%) were seropositive for concurrent CAV and IBDV antibodies. The species distribution showed 29.9% (120/401) village chickens, 23.1% (12/52) layers, 46% (144/313) broilers, 21.3% (27/127) turkeys, 3.4% (1/29) ducks, and 22.7% (5/22) geese were positive for both CAV and IBDV antibodies. The sex distribution of the mixed CAV and IBDV seropositive samples showed an overall seroprevalence rates of 36.6% and 25.7% among males and females respectively. This study highlights the widespread presence of CAV and IBDV infections among poultry species in Maiduguri. Further research is needed to evaluate the economic impact and the cost-effectiveness of control measures.