Fowl Adenovirus Infection in Chicken: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The Fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) are ubiquitous in nature and found worldwide and is often isolated from asymptomatic chickens. FAdVs are known to cause many important diseases in poultry like Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH), Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS), Hepatitis hydropericardium syndrome (HHS), Gizzard erosions (GE), Proventriculitis (PV), Tenosynovitis and respiratory infections. Fowl adenovirus infection in chicken can be diagnosed based specific clinical signs, gross and histopathological lesions especially demonstration of intranuclear inclusion bodies. Electron microscopic demonstration of multiple aggregates of hexagonal adenoviral particles with basophilic intranuclear inclusions is successfully carried out for the detection FAdV. Fowl adenoviruses are non-enveloped in nature, highly resistance to inactivation by heat as well as other common disinfectant. The incidence of FAdVs infections can be reduced by maintaining good management and husbandry practices. In breeder farms, strengthening of biosecurity measures and timely vaccination with updated serotypes are very important to control and prevent the infection.