Review Article
Genene Girma, Mengestie Abe
Abstract
Aspergillosis is a respiratory disease of chicken, turkey, humans and other mammals and less frequently ducks, pigeon, geese and other wild and domestic birds. It is cuased by a fungal species under the genus Aspergillus. In chickens and turkey, the disease may be endemic on some farm. In wild birds, it appears too sporadic, frequently affecting only an individual bird. It is usually seen in birds of 7-40 days old. Aspergillus spp are ubiquitous and the disease is found where ever environmental condition is favorable for growth. Aspergillus fumigatus is frequently isolated in affected bird. Infection occurs by inhalation of spores. The disease has two forms, acute and chronic form. The acute form occurs when large amount of spores are ingested by the bird, where as, the chronic form affects birds under immune suppression. The clinical signs are non-specific and a variety of diagnostic procedures are required for the diagnosis of aspergillosis in poultry, of which culturing is very important. Treatment of aspergillosis is not effective and prevention is the best way of controlling the disease. Good managemental practices such as sanitation, avoiding wet litter or soil and moldy or dusty feeds, provididing adequate ventilation, and disinfecting feed and water lines should be implemented to prevent and control the disease.