Aspergillosis
Week 11
• Aspergillus species lead to respiratory system infections and
sometimes they can also rarely cause systemic infections
• Main species that causes infections in animals are:
Aspergillus fumigatus the major agent. Beside this;
• Aspergillus niger,
• Aspergillus flavus,
• Aspergillus terreus,
• Aspergillus nidulans
A. fumigatus and A. flavus have endotoxin. A. flavus also synthesised a very
potent toxin called aflatoxin.
Epidemiology
• The intake of Aspergillus spores by inhalation leads to the frequent
observation of respiratory system infections
• Spores can be observed in soil, decayed food and plants. Inhalation
of these spores by the animals that are fed in these environments
lead to Aspergillosis
• In the tissue and pathologic materials the conidiums, coniophores
and micelial elements can be seen
• All animals are susceptible. In-appropriate caring and nutrition rules
are the predisposition factors for the disease
• Transmission from animal to animal is very rare in comparison to
the other fungal infections
Diagnosis
1) Clinical Diagnosis: Clinical findings are mostly observed in the
respiratory and digestion systems. In some animals abortions dur to the
fungi can also be observed.
Aspergillus infections are frequently seen in the poultry. Acute Aspergillosis
are observed in young animals, Chronic Aspergillosis is seen in adults.
- Culture: Tissue with lesions and other materials can be
cultured on SDA with antibiotic and incubated at 25C. The
colonies can be evaluated for the both macro and micro
morphological characteristics.
- In order to diagnose Aspergillus species the conidiophore, vesicle,
sterigma and conidial chain must be evaluated. The head of the conidia
must be investigated for its shape and colour; the structure of
ascospores; the sequence number of sterigma; the length of
conidiophofore and the size of the conidium is important.
- Microscopy: The materials are stained and investigated for the
presence of conidophores, conidiums, vesicle, sterigma and hyphae
Treatment
Topical antifungal agents,
Amphotericin-B , Enilconazole, Miconazole , Terbinafine
Systemic antifungal agents,
• Amphotericin-B ( 1.5 mg/kg, 5 days)
• Fluconazole ( 5 mg/kg, 7 days )
• İtraconazole ( 5-15 mg/kg, 21 days )
• Ketoconazole ( 10-30mg/kg, 21 days)
• Voriconazole ( 5-10 mg/kg,7 days)
