Abstract

Aim: The study was aimed to evaluate prophylactic effect of ascorbic acid (AA) and levamisole combination on clinical signs and lesions of infectious bursal disease was investigated.

Method and materials: A total of Eighty (80) two-weeks old cockerels were purchased from RNT poultry production unit, Yobe state, Nigeria. The birds were fed with pelletized chicks’ mash from Vital feeds, Nigeria and clean drinking water was provided ad-libitum. The chicks were vaccinated with Newcastle disease vaccine (Lasota) at 3 weeks of age and raised upto4 weeks before used for the experiment. The birds were divided into 4 groups (A to D; n= 20). Group A (pretreated infected), Group B (infected treated), Group C (infected untreated) and Group D (uninfected untreated).Pre-treatment and treatment of the birds following infection with IBDV was done with AA and Levamisole. On days 0,2,3,5 and 7 post inoculation, birds were sacrificed for evaluation of gross and microscopic lesions.

Results: Birds in Groups A to C manifested clinical signs of depression, ruffled feathers, whitish diarrhea and loss of appetite, which are more severe in group C. On days 0,2,3,5 and 7 post inoculation, the birds were sacrificed for evaluation of gross and histopathology. Gross lesions observed included intramuscular haemorrhages, congested and enlarged spleen, enlarged and haemorrhagic bursa of fabricius, enlarged liver with pale areas; while microscopically, lesions included moderate lymphocytolysis in intact bursal follicles, congestion of central veins, lymphoid depletion and red pulp hyperplasia in the spleen which were milder in group A and B when compared to group C.

Conclusion: It was concluded that AA and levamisole combination treatment during infectious bursal disease outbreaks can modify the manifestation and course of the disease leading to reduced morbidity and mortality as well as reduce or milder clinical manifestation and lesions of the disease.

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