Pathomorphological Changes in the Liver and Kidney of Broiler Chickens Infected with Nephropathogenic Infectious Bronchitis Virus

Abstract

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), particularly nephropathogenic strains, causes severe renal and hepatic pathology in broiler chickens, leading to significant economic losses. The present study was conducted in Assam to investigate the gross and histopathological changes in the liver and kidneys of broiler chickens affected with nephropathogenic IBV. The study was carried out from December 2023 to December 2024 on broiler carcasses received for post-mortem examination. Clinically, affected birds showed dehydration, depression, diarrhoea, ruffled feathers, and mild respiratory signs. Gross examination revealed predominant renal involvement characterized by congestion, necrosis, ureteral distension with urates, and visceral gout with urate deposition on serosal surfaces of visceral organs. Microscopically, the liver showed congestion, haemorrhages, and mild hepatitis, while kidneys exhibited interstitial nephritis, glomerulonephritis, tubular degeneration, and urate crystal deposition. The study demonstrates that nephropathogenic IBV primarily targets the kidneys while also inducing notable hepatic alterations in affected broiler chickens.