Changes

Also Known As – '''''Baby Chick Nephritis (BCN) – Infectious Stunting Syndrome (ISS)'''''

Also Known As: '''''Baby Chick Nephritis — BCN — Infectious Stunting Syndrome — ISS'''''

Caused By – Avian Nephritis Virus (ANV)

Caused By: Avian Nephritis Virus (ANV)

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Avian nephritis is caused by an '''RNA astrovirus''' and affects '''solely chickens.'''

Avian nephritis is caused by an '''RNA [[:Category:Astroviridae|astrovirus]]''' and affects '''solely chickens.'''

This disease is '''notifiable''' to the World Organisation for Animal Health [http://www.oie.int/ (OIE)]

This disease is '''notifiable''' to the World Organisation for Animal Health [http://www.oie.int/ (OIE)]

==Distribution==

==Distribution==

Japan, Europe, USA and New Zealand.

The virus is present in Japan, Europe, USA and New Zealand.

The principle method of disease transmission is via '''faeces'''. AN is also transmitted '''vertically''' to eggs and chicks from infected hens.

The principle method of disease transmission is via '''faeces'''. AN is also transmitted '''vertically''' to eggs and chicks from infected hens.

Definitive diagnosis requires demonstration of the virus, usually in kidney tissues.  

Definitive diagnosis requires demonstration of the virus, usually in kidney tissues.  

'''Smears of kidney tissue''' can be fixed onto slides and '''Immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry''' can be used to demonstrate viral antigens.  

'''Smears of kidney tissue''' can be fixed onto slides and '''[[immunofluorescence]] or immunohistochemistry''' can be used to demonstrate viral antigens.  

Faeces and liver can also be used for viral isolation. Viral presence can be confirmed by immunofluorescence or neutralisation.

Faeces and liver can also be used for viral isolation. Viral presence can be confirmed by immunofluorescence or neutralisation.

Maternal antibodies are usually protective so immunisation of breeding hens is potentially possible but no vaccine is available despite experimental success. This is due to the economic impact of AN being unknown and therefore investment seeming unjustified.

Maternal antibodies are usually protective so immunisation of breeding hens is potentially possible but no vaccine is available despite experimental success. This is due to the economic impact of AN being unknown and therefore investment seeming unjustified.

An '''all-in-all-out policy''', thorough emptying of sheds between batches and formaldehyde disinfection have all been demonstrated to reduce incidence of AN and ISS.<ref>Reece, R,, Frazier, J (1991). '''Infectious stunting syndrome breakthrough'''. Poultry International, Nov:16-24.</ref>

An '''all-in-all-out policy''', thorough emptying of sheds between batches and formaldehyde disinfection have all been demonstrated to reduce incidence of AN and ISS.<ref>Reece, R, Frazier, J (1991) '''Infectious stunting syndrome breakthrough'''. ''Poultry International,'' Nov:16-24.</ref>

Reducing exposure to cold weather, dehydration, transport, overcrowding and other diseases which may be immunosuppressive are also key to prevention of AN.

Reducing exposure to cold weather, dehydration, transport, overcrowding and other diseases which may be immunosuppressive are also key to prevention of AN.

{{Learning

{{Learning

|flashcards = [[Avian Nephritis Flashcards]]

|flashcards = [[Avian Nephritis Flashcards]]

}}

}}

==References==

==References==

Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Avian Nephritis datasheet''', accessed 20/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/

Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Avian Nephritis datasheet''', accessed 20/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/

[[Category:To Do - CABI review]]

 

 

[[Category:Urological Diseases - Birds]][[Category:Alimentary Diseases - Birds]]

[[Category:CABI Expert Review]]