laryngotracheitis

Laryngotracheobronchitis, also known as viral croup or infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), is a respiratory disease that affects poultry and other birds.

Characteristics of the Disease:

• The disease is caused by gallid alpha herpesvirus type 1 (GaHV-1) [6].
• It is characterized by inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi [1].
• Symptoms include coughing, nasal, ocular, and oral discharge, as well as reduced egg production in chickens [2].

Description of ILT:

• Avian infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by gallid alphaherpesvirus 1 [4].
• It can infect pheasants, turkeys, and other birds in addition to chickens [9].

Comparison with Croup:

• Laryngotracheobronchitis is often referred to as viral croup or infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) [7].
• Croup refers specifically to an infection of the upper airway that causes a cough sounding like barking, whereas ILT affects the larynx, trachea, and bronchi [5].

Key Features:

• The disease is characterized by conjunctivitis, sinusitis, oculo-nasal discharge, respiratory distress, bloody mucus, swollen orbital sinuses, high morbidity, and mortality in poultry [3].
• Vaccines against ILT are usually prepared from attenuated live virus to prevent the spread of the disease [2].

References: [1] by S Ernest · 2023 · Cited by 4 [2] by S Ernest · 2023 · Cited by 4 [3] by V Gowthaman · 2020 · Cited by 68 [4] by V Gowthaman · 2020 · Cited by 68 [5] [6] [7] [8] Jan 18, 2024 [9]

Laryngotracheitis, also known as croup, is a respiratory illness that affects the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box). The signs and symptoms of this condition can vary in severity, but here are some common ones:

• Typical barking cough: A distinctive, loud, and persistent cough that sounds like a seal or a dog. This is often the first symptom to appear.
• Hoarse voice or cry: The voice may become hoarse or raspy due to inflammation of the larynx.
• Inspiratory stridor: An abnormal high-pitched sound heard when inhaling, which can be quite loud and alarming.
• Labored breathing: People with croup may experience difficulty breathing, which can lead to a sense of panic or anxiety.
• Fever: A fever is often present, especially in children.
• Nasal and ocular discharge: In some cases, there may be nasal and eye discharge, along with tracheitis (inflammation of the trachea).
• Mild rales: A mild rattling sound can be heard when listening to the lungs.

These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may worsen over time if left untreated. It's essential to seek medical attention if you or your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if they are severe or accompanied by difficulty breathing.

References:

• [1] Symptoms · Loud barking cough that's made worse by crying and coughing, as well as anxiety and distress, setting up a cycle of worsening symptoms. · Fever.
• [3] Symptoms of acute laryngotracheitis · an increase in temperature to 39.5 - 40 degrees; · Difficulty noisy breathing, accompanied by severe wheezing;
• [6] Clinical features · Typical barking cough, hoarse voice or cry. · Inspiratory stridor (abnormal high pitched sound on inspiration):
• [8] Croup is a common respiratory illness of the trachea, larynx, and bronchi that can lead to inspiratory stridor and barking cough.

Diagnostic Tests for Laryngotracheitis

Laryngotracheitis, also known as croup, is a respiratory illness that can be challenging to diagnose. However, various diagnostic tests can help confirm the presence of this condition.

• Virus Isolation: This test involves isolating the virus from a sample taken from the affected individual. It's a common method used in research settings and can be useful for confirming the diagnosis.
• Serological Techniques: These tests detect the presence of antibodies against the laryngotracheitis virus in the blood or other bodily fluids. They can help confirm a recent infection but may not always provide a definitive diagnosis.
• Histopathology: This test involves examining tissue samples from the affected area under a microscope to look for signs of inflammation and viral infection.
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): PCR is a molecular diagnostic technique that can detect the presence of the laryngotracheitis virus in a sample. It's highly sensitive and specific, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing this condition.
• PCR-RFLP: This test combines PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to identify the genetic material of the laryngotracheitis virus.

According to [2], croup is a common respiratory illness affecting 3% of children six months to three years of age. It accounts for 7% of hospitalizations annually for fever and/or acute respiratory illness in children younger than five years.

The diagnostic techniques mentioned above can be used to diagnose laryngotracheitis, as well as other related conditions such as laryngotracheobronchitis [12]. However, it's essential to note that the choice of diagnostic test may depend on various factors, including the severity of symptoms and the availability of resources.

References:

[1] Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus by real time PCR. One or more of the following: 1-2 mL cultured virus, tracheal or cloacal swab. [2] May 1, 2018 - Croup is a common respiratory illness affecting 3% of children six months to three years of age. [12] Laryngotracheobronchitis, as the name implies, refers to inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi.

Treatment Options for Laryngotracheitis (Croup)

Laryngotracheitis, also known as croup, is a common respiratory illness in children that can be treated with various medications to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.

• Glucocorticoids: According to [2], glucocorticoids are considered the drugs of choice for treating laryngotracheitis. They can be administered orally or locally as inhalation therapy.
• Adrenocorticoids: Although their use remains controversial, adrenocorticoids have been reported in several studies to reduce morbidity associated with croup [4].
• Symptom-based therapy: For immunocompetent adults, symptom-based therapy is the mainstay of treatment for viral respiratory infections, including laryngotracheitis [7].

It's essential to note that most upper respiratory tract infections (URIs), including laryngotracheitis, are self-limited and resolve without prescription medication. However, recognizing the signs and symptoms of bacterial or viral diseases is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment approach.

References:

[2] Glucocorticoids for treatment of laryngotracheitis (croup) [4] Adrenocorticoids to reduce morbidity associated with laryngotracheitis (croup) [7] Symptom-based therapy for viral respiratory infections in immunocompetent adults

Differential Diagnosis of Laryngotracheitis

Laryngotracheitis, also known as infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), is a viral disease that affects the respiratory system of birds. When diagnosing ILT, it's essential to consider other possible causes of similar symptoms in order to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Possible Differential Diagnoses:

• Laryngeal Abscess: A bacterial infection that can cause inflammation and abscess formation in the larynx.
• Hematoma: A collection of blood outside the blood vessels, which can cause respiratory distress.
• Newcastle Disease: A viral disease that affects birds, causing symptoms such as respiratory distress, diarrhea, and neurological signs.
• Infectious Bronchitis: A viral disease that affects the respiratory system of birds, causing symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and respiratory distress.

Other Considerations:

• Pox: A viral disease that affects birds, causing symptoms such as skin lesions and respiratory distress.
• Avian Influenza: A viral disease that affects birds, causing symptoms such as respiratory distress, diarrhea, and neurological signs.
• Bacterial Tracheitis: A bacterial infection that can cause inflammation and abscess formation in the trachea.

Key Points to Consider:

• The presence of respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and inspiratory stridor.
• The presence of systemic symptoms such as fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
• The results of diagnostic tests such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or histopathology.

References:

• [1] Davidson I. Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) and fowlpox virus (FPV) cause diphtheritic lesions in chicken tracheas and can simultaneously infect the same bird.
• [2] Scholz E. A simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based procedure was developed for the detection of avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) in chicken trachea, ...
• [3] Diagnosis can be based on detection of microscopic lesions, such as syncytia and intranuclear inclusion bodies in the trachea, larynx, and conjunctival mucosa (...
• [4] Differential diagnoses should include laryngeal abscess, hematoma ...