Aim: To assess some serobiochemical changes in layer chickens affected with H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in Plateau State, Nigeria.

Methods: Five sera samples were collected from ten infected commercial farms (fifty from all the infected layer farms). Five sera samples from non-infected chickens (1 from each layer farm that was free from infection) were used as control. Serum Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein, concentration and creatinine concentrations were determined using kits.

Results: There was a significant (P<0.01) increase in levels of Serum Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine concentrations and significant decrease in urea, total albumin and protein concentrations in sera of all affected chickens which is suggestive of liver damage.

Conclusion: These changes confirm the evidence of liver and kidney damage, and could be responsible for the high morbidity and mortality usually associated with this disease.

 

Key Words: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Layer Chickens