Aspergillus fumigatus in Poultry

Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus remains a major respiratory pathogen in birds. In poultry, infection by A. fumigatus may induce significant economic losses particularly in turkey production. A. fumigatus develops and sporulates easily in poor quality bedding or contaminated feedstuffs in indoor farm environments. Inadequate ventilation and dusty conditions increase the risk of bird exposure to aerosolized spores. Acute cases are seen in young animals following inhalation of spores, causing high morbidity and mortality. The chronic form affects older birds and looks more sporadic. The respiratory tract is the primary site of A. fumigatus development leading to severe respiratory distress and associated granulomatous airsacculitis and pneumonia. Treatments for infected poultry are nonexistent; therefore, prevention is the only way to protect poultry. Development of avian models of aspergillosis may improve our understanding of its pathogenesis, which remains poorly understood.

Figure 1

Numerous nodules in the lung of a duck with acute aspergillosis.

Figure 2

Fluorescence intensity emitted by injected DsRed conidia detected by imaging on both whole body and left isolated lung at different times (in hours) after inoculation (three chickens per time).

Figure 3

Mean concentration of seric galactomannan in control and experimentally infected turkeys. Index = optical density of the sample/mean optical density of two threshold samples (1 ng/mL of galactomannan) provided in the Platelia kit. *Significant difference (P < .05).

Figure 4

Example of mean spectrum obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (WCX) from seric samples of infected and control turkeys.