Inclusion Body Hepatitis: A Comprehensive Overview of Disease Impact and Control in Poultry

Abdellatif, Doaa M; El-Sawah, Azza A.; Elkady, Magdy F.; Ali, Ahmed; Shany, Salama A.S.

doi:10.21608/ejvs.2025.339095.2522

Inclusion Body Hepatitis: A Comprehensive Overview of Disease Impact and Control in Poultry

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Artical

Authors

¹ Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt

² Poultry Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University

10.21608/ejvs.2025.339095.2522

Abstract

Inclusion Body Hepatitis-Hydropericardium Syndrome (IBH-HPS) is an economically significant disease affecting poultry worldwide. The causative agent of IBH-HPS is predominantly Fowl Adenovirus (FAdV), with serotypes 4, 11, and 8b being most implicated. The disease is characterized by hepatitis with intranuclear inclusion bodies and hydropericardium, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality in poultry flocks. Epidemiological studies reveal that IBH-HPS outbreaks are often associated with intensive farming practices, suboptimal biosecurity, and immunosuppression induced by co-infections (e.g., infectious bursal disease (IBDV) and chicken anemia virus (CAV) or stressors like aflatoxicosis. Vertical and horizontal transmission routes are critical in the spread of disease. Pathogenesis involves viral replication in hepatocytes, leading to necrosis, inclusion body formation, and systemic inflammatory responses. Clinically, affected birds exhibit depression, lethargy, ruffled feathers, and characteristic gross lesions including pale, friable livers with inclusion bodies and fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac. Laboratory diagnosis relies on histopathology, PCR, and virus isolation techniques to confirm FAdV presence and serotype identification. Both inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines have shown efficacy in reducing disease incidence. However, vaccination strategies must align with the circulating serotypes to ensure optimal protection. Understanding IBH-HPS requires an integrated approach addressing environmental, managemental, and immunological factors. This review underscores current knowledge, the disease's impact on poultry production, and the continued research to enhance diagnostic methods, refine vaccine formulations, and develop comprehensive prevention strategies.

Keywords