Aspergillosis; cause, symptom, treatment and prevention in poultry

Rapid breathing. Thirst. Drowsiness. Nervous signs (rare). Chronic Forms:
Ocular discharge (ocular form only). Wasting. Post-mortem lesions
Yellow to grey nodules or plaques in lungs, air sacs, trachea, plaques in peritoneal cavity, may have greenish surface. Conjunctivitis/keratitis. Brain lesions may be seen in some birds with nervous signs. Diagnosis
This is usually based on the signs and lesio

ns and microscopic examination for the fungus, preferably after digestion in 10% potassium hydroxide. It may be confirmed by isolation of the fungus, typically by putting small pieces of affected tissue on Sabouraud agar. Growth occurs in 24-48 hours and colonies are powdery green/blue in appearance. Differentiate from excessive exposure to formalin or vaccinal reactions in day olds and from heat stress in older birds. Treatment
Usually none. Environmental spraying with effective antifungal antiseptic may help reduce challenge. Amphotericin B and Nystatin have been used in high-value birds. Prevention
Dry, good quality litter and feed, hygiene, Thiabendazole or Nystatin has been used in feed.