Aspergillosis/Mycotic pneumonia
Etiology:
Aspergillus fumigatus
It is an acute and chronic disease
of birds. It was first reported in ducks in 1833 and 1898 in Turkey. It is
transferred from hatchery through contaminated soil and penetrates the eggs.
Mostly occur in immunosuppressant birds. When there is high ammonia then it
causes spores to germinate.
Route of infection:
1. Inhalation
2. Contaminated feed
3. Litter
Clinical findings:
·
Dyspnea
·
Gasping
·
Cyanosis of comb and
wattles
·
Dehydration
·
Diarrhea
·
Polydipsia
· Sometimes nervous signs
also appear like ataxia, falling of birds, Pushing over backward, Opisthotonous
Postmortem findings:
·
Bluish, greenish and
blackish layer on air sacs when body opened
·
Yellowish or grey nodules
may present on lungs
Diagnosis:
·
Hyphae saw under
microscope
·
Lesions have leathery
appearance
·
Immunosuppression by the
spores
·
Spores present
·
Systemic and visceral
involvement
·
Respiratory signs
·
Peritoneum and gizzard
effected
Treatment:
·
Nystatin
·
Amphotericin B
·
Ketoconazole
·
Fluconazole
·
Miconazole
·
Broad-spectrum antibiotics
to avoid secondary infection
·
Disinfection with CuSo4
Control
·
Improve husbandry and
management practices
·
Frequently replace the
litter and disinfection of shed
· Spores are in eggs, so eggs are also disinfected or mostly discarded
