MSD MANUAL

Veterinary Manual

PROFESSIONAL VERSION

Infectious Laryngotracheitis in
Poultry
By Maricarmen Garcia, PhD, Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, Department of Population
Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia

Reviewed/Revised Jan 2020

Clinical Findings | Diagnosis | Control | Key Points

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is an economically important

respiratory disease of poultry. This highly contagious disease is caused
by Gallid alpha herpesvirus type 1 (GaHV-1), commonly known as
infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV). The virus can be easily
transmitted by infected birds and fomites. Lax biosecurity,
transportation of infected birds, and spread of contaminated litter
facilitates spread of the virus. Clinical signs of respiratory disease are
not pathognomonic. Diagnosis is by real-time PCR and histopathology .
Implementation of biosecurity is necessary for prevention, but
vaccination is commonly used for control of the disease in endemic
regions worldwide.

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is an acute, highly contagious, herpesvirus infection of

chickens and pheasants characterized by severe dyspnea, coughing, and rales. It can also be a
subacute disease with nasal and ocular discharge, tracheitis, conjunctivitis, and mild rales. The
disease is caused by Gallid herpesvirus I, commonly known as infectious laryngotracheitis virus
(ILTV). It has been reported from most areas of the USA in which poultry are intensively reared,
as well as from many other countries.
Clinical Findings

In the acute form of infectious laryngotracheitis

virus, gasping, coughing bloody mucoid exudate, Infectious
rattling, and extension of the neck during Laryngotracheitis
inspiration are seen 5–12 days after natural
exposure. Reduced productivity is a varying factor VIDEO

in laying flocks. Affected birds are anorectic and

inactive. Mortality varies but may reach 50% in
adults and is usually due to occlusion of the
trachea by hemorrhage or exudate. Signs usually
subside after ~2 weeks, although some birds may
show signs for longer periods. Strains of low
virulence produce little or no mortality, with mild respiratory signs and a slight decrease in egg
production.
Infectious laryngotracheitis virus, broilers
After recovery, birds remain carriers for life and become a source of infection for susceptible
birds. The latent virus can be reactivated under stressful conditions. Infection also may be
spread mechanically. Several epidemics have been traced to the transport of infected birds or
contaminated equipment and litter.

Diagnosis

PCR and histopathology of trachea and conjunctiva

The acute form of infectious laryngotracheitis virus is characterized by the presence of blood,
mucus, yellow caseous exudates, or a hollow caseous cast in the trachea. Microscopically, the
acute phase of the severe form of the disease is characterized by a desquamative, necrotizing
tracheitis and conjunctivitis. The mild forms of the disease are characterized by discrete
hemorrhagic areas in the upper trachea and larynx and mild conjunctivitis. A rapid diagnosis of
the disease can be achieved by the detection of lesions that are pathognomonic of the
infection, such as syncytial formation and intranuclear inclusion bodies in the trachea and
conjunctiva mucosal epithelium. This diagnosis can be rapidly confirmed by detection of viral
DNA using virus-specific PCR assays.

Rapid and accurate diagnosis of the disease is central for the establishment of swift control
measures. Although not pathognomonic, the diagnosis is initiated by the recognition of clinical
signs and gross lesions of the disease. Laboratory diagnosis includes detection of microscopic
lesions characteristic of ILTV replication, detection of viral DNA or viral antigen from upper
respiratory tissues, and ultimately, virus isolation.

Field isolates and vaccine strains of ILTV are routinely differentiated by PCR amplification of
single or multiple ILTV genome areas, followed by sequencing of the PCR products and analysis
of the sequences obtained. More recently, field isolates and vaccines strains have been
differentiated more accurately by full genome sequencing analysis. Genotyping of the virus is
optional in the diagnosis of ILT. Genotyping analysis answers whether the virus originated from
previously used live attenuated vaccines, if it is related to previous outbreak strains, or if it is a
new field strain.

Control

In endemic areas and on farms where a specific diagnosis is made, infectious laryngotracheitis
virus is controlled by implementation of biosecurity measures and vaccination. Vaccination is
done with live attenuated vaccines and viral vector recombinant vaccines. Live vaccines
originated from virulent isolates that were attenuated by consecutive passages in embryos or
tissue culture. These are applied via eye drop or through mass vaccination by water or spray.
Viral vector recombinant vaccines in fowlpox and herpesvirus of turkeys have been designed to
express ILTV immunogenic proteins and are administered to individual birds by in ovo,
subcutaneous, or wing-web vaccination.

Key Points

Infectious laryngotracheitis is an acute respiratory disease of poultry.

Disease is caused by Gallid alphaherpesvirus 1 (GAHV-1) or ILTV.

Severe and mild presentations of the disease have been identified.

Rapid diagnosis is achieved by histopathologic examination of trachea and

conjunctiva and by PCR analysis.

Intervention strategies for control are implementation of biosecurity and

vaccination.