Molecular and Histopathological Characterization of Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) in Broiler Chickens in Isfahan Province

Background and Aims: The Inclusion Body Hepatitis disease (IBH) is one of the prevalent illnesses in our country these days and reported from different regions of Iran. In addition to its fatality, the importance of this disease is disturbing the vaccination program in poultry, especially broiler chickens, against other diseases like infectious bursal disease (IBD) and Newcastle disease (ND). This study aimed to determine the molecular phylogenetic and histopathological analysis of IBH in the Kashan region (Isfahan province). Materials and Methods: Liver samples collected from infected chickens examined using PCR and histopathological procedure. Phylogenetic analysis was done by drawing a phylogenetic tree. Results: All samples were positive with PCR. Also, the samples were investigated by histopathological procedure, and congestion, hemorrhage, focal necrosis, and intranuclear inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes were observed. Conclusion: According to the phylogenetic analysis, the Iranian isolate in this research was similar to European countries' isolates. Other aspects of IBH disease like pathogenesis and epidemiology should be investigated.