E-ISSN 2218-6050 | ISSN 2226-4485
 
2026, Vol: 16, Issue: 8
16 / 8Current Issue ArchiveAims and ScopeAbstracting & IndexingMost Accessed ArticlesMost Downloaded ArticlesMost Cited Articles
Required files to be uploaded

OVJ Manuscript Submissio Form
Title Page
mainarticle_template

Research Article


Age-related serological response to H9N2 infection in southwest Tripoli, Libya

Imad Benlashehr, Ahmed Shaban Kassem Agha, Khalid Mohammed Naffati, Salah Abdulhadi Bshina, Ahmed Abdulmajed Khashkhosha, Abdulatif A. Asheg, Abdulwahab M. Kammon.


Abstract
Background:
Avian influenza virus H9N2 is a low-pathogenic subtype that causes respiratory disease and economic losses in poultry and carries zoonotic potential. The virus is endemic across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, often exacerbated by co-infections with other pathogens. In Libya, H9N2 was first detected in 2006, but data on age-related immune responses in broilers remain limited.

Aim:
This study investigated the age-related serological response to H9N2 in southwest Libyan broiler flocks to provide baseline data for vaccination and control programs.

Methods:
A total of 342 blood samples were collected from six unvaccinated broiler flocks. Antibodies against influenza A were detected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and H9N2-specific antibodies were measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay.

Results:
The seropositivity for influenza A increased with age (30%, 52%, and 100% at 10, 24, and 38 days, respectively). The positivity rates for H9N2 were 0%, 22%, and 72%. The progressive increase confirms the active field circulation and endemicity of H9N2. The absence of detectable antibodies at 10 days indicates strong maternal antibody interference.

Conclusion:
H9N2 is endemic in Libyan broiler flocks, with continuous exposure reflecting age-dependent seroconversion. Vaccination after the age of 10 days may optimize immune protection by reducing maternal antibody interference. Continuous surveillance and molecular monitoring are essential for guiding effective national control measures and assessing zoonotic risks.

Key words: H9N2; Seroprevalence; ELISA; HI; Libya.


 
ARTICLE TOOLS
Abstract
PDF Fulltext
HTML Fulltext
How to cite this articleHow to cite this article
Citation Tools
Related Records
 Articles by Imad Benlashehr
Articles by Ahmed Shaban Kassem Agha
Articles by Khalid Mohammed Naffati
Articles by Salah Abdulhadi Bshina
Articles by Ahmed Abdulmajed Khashkhosha
Articles by Abdulatif A. Asheg
Articles by Abdulwahab M. Kammon
on Google
on Google Scholar


How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Benlashehr I, Agha ASK, Naffati KM, Bshina SA, Khashkhosha AA, Asheg AA, Kammon AM. Age-related serological response to H9N2 infection in southwest Tripoli, Libya. Open Vet. J.. 2025; 15(10): 5361-5367. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i10.53

Web Style

Benlashehr I, Agha ASK, Naffati KM, Bshina SA, Khashkhosha AA, Asheg AA, Kammon AM. Age-related serological response to H9N2 infection in southwest Tripoli, Libya. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=257324 [Access: June 26, 2026]. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i10.53

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Benlashehr I, Agha ASK, Naffati KM, Bshina SA, Khashkhosha AA, Asheg AA, Kammon AM. Age-related serological response to H9N2 infection in southwest Tripoli, Libya. Open Vet. J.. 2025; 15(10): 5361-5367. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i10.53


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Benlashehr I, Agha ASK, Naffati KM, Bshina SA, Khashkhosha AA, Asheg AA, Kammon AM. Age-related serological response to H9N2 infection in southwest Tripoli, Libya. Open Vet. J.. (2025), [cited June 26, 2026]; 15(10): 5361-5367. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i10.53


Harvard Style

Benlashehr, I., Agha, . A. S. K., Naffati, . K. M., Bshina, . S. A., Khashkhosha, . A. A., Asheg, . A. A. & Kammon, . A. M. (2025) Age-related serological response to H9N2 infection in southwest Tripoli, Libya. Open Vet. J., 15 (10), 5361-5367. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i10.53


Turabian Style

Benlashehr, Imad, Ahmed Shaban Kassem Agha, Khalid Mohammed Naffati, Salah Abdulhadi Bshina, Ahmed Abdulmajed Khashkhosha, Abdulatif A. Asheg, and Abdulwahab M. Kammon. 2025. Age-related serological response to H9N2 infection in southwest Tripoli, Libya. Open Veterinary Journal, 15 (10), 5361-5367. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i10.53


Chicago Style

Benlashehr, Imad, Ahmed Shaban Kassem Agha, Khalid Mohammed Naffati, Salah Abdulhadi Bshina, Ahmed Abdulmajed Khashkhosha, Abdulatif A. Asheg, and Abdulwahab M. Kammon. "Age-related serological response to H9N2 infection in southwest Tripoli, Libya." Open Veterinary Journal 15 (2025), 5361-5367. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i10.53


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Benlashehr, Imad, Ahmed Shaban Kassem Agha, Khalid Mohammed Naffati, Salah Abdulhadi Bshina, Ahmed Abdulmajed Khashkhosha, Abdulatif A. Asheg, and Abdulwahab M. Kammon. "Age-related serological response to H9N2 infection in southwest Tripoli, Libya." Open Veterinary Journal 15.10 (2025), 5361-5367. Print. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i10.53


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Benlashehr, I., Agha, . A. S. K., Naffati, . K. M., Bshina, . S. A., Khashkhosha, . A. A., Asheg, . A. A. & Kammon, . A. M. (2025) Age-related serological response to H9N2 infection in southwest Tripoli, Libya. Open Veterinary Journal, 15 (10), 5361-5367. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i10.53


Author LoginReviewer LoginAbout PublisherOpen Access PolicyEditorial PoliciesEditorial Review PolicyEditorial & Peer Review ProcessPublication Ethics and Publication Malpractice StatementConflict of Interest PolicyPlagiarism PolicyProtection of Research Participants (Statement On Human And Animal Rights)Corrections, Retractions & Expressions of ConcernSelf-Archiving PoliciesDigital Archiving & Preservation PoliciesStatement of Informed ConsentAdvertising PolicyTerms of UseLicense InformationCopyright Information

About Open Veterinary Journal

Open Veterinary Journal provides high quality peer review process for original research articles, review articles, short communications and case reports i ... Read more.



For best results, please use Internet Explorer or Google Chrome.

Contact Information

All correspondence should be addressed to:

Prof. Ibrahim Eldaghayes

Editor-in-Chief

Open Veterinary Journal

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli

P.O. Box 13662, Tripoli, Libya

Email: ibrahim.eldaghayes@vetmed.edu.ly