Epidemiological Investigation on Avian Infectious Bronchitis in 29 Provincial Administrative Regions of China from 2019 to 2021
In order to identify the prevalence rule of avian infectious bronchitis virus(IBV)in China,38 442 samples with suspected IBV infection submitted by 29 regions at provincial levels from 2019 to 2021 were detected and identified by RT-PCR. The S1 genes of positive samples were sequenced and typed,and then the results were statistically analyzed from the aspects of time,space and intergroup. The results showed that 6 436 IBV positive samples were detected,with the positive detection rate of 16.7%.The positive detection rates of IBV for the three years were 12.5%,16.4% and 21.0% respectively,tending to increase year by year:the positive detection rate changed with seasons to certain extent,which was lower from July to September(11.3% to 15.4%),and higher from March to June(17.3% to 19.3%)and October to December(17.5% to 19.0%). Positive samples were detected from 27 out of 29 regions,the detection rates were higher in intensive poultry areas in the eastern and central regions,and lower in the western and northern regions. The detection rate of white feather broilers was highest(28.9%),and that of broiler breeders was lowest(5.0%). The infection with IBV was more serious in chickens at the age of 0~6 weeks. Five genotypes were detected,especially QX(66.5%)and GVI(27.7%)that were dominant genotypes;the prevalent genotypes were different in different breeds,QX and GVI were the main genotypes in white feather broiler flocks,while the prevalent genotypes were complex in other flocks;the positive rates of QX and GVI were higher in the flocks at 0 to 3 weeks old(33.2%)and 3 to 6 weeks old(66.4%),and lower in those at more than 6 weeks old(<14.0%). In conclusion,IBV was widely distributed in chicken flocks in China,especially in intensive areas where the prevalence tended to increase year by year;it occurred frequently in winter,spring or autumn,and was serious in the flocks at young day old;the prevalent genotypes were complex,especially QX and GVI were common. In conclusion,there was a huge pressure and challenge to prevent and control IB in China,thus it was necessary to strengthen the development of vaccines of dominant virus genotypes,and a priority should be given to IB control of chicken flocks at young day old.