Management of acute Aspergillosis in newly hatched chicks: A case report.

Abstract

High and early mortalities of chicks often result in colossal economic losses. Aspergillosis, a fungal infection in chicks often occurs in the first 2 weeks of life and may be misdiagnosed as a common respiratory problem like Mycoplasmosis. Some Veterinarians are of the opinion that there is no effective way of treating Aspergillosis. This clinical case report describes the management of acute aspergillosis in chicks. Necropsies were done thrice. Grossly, congested livers, hemorrhagic nephritis, and congested lungs with whitish nodules were observed. Histologically, there were numerous multinuclear giant cells, macrophages and heterophils in the liver. The lung showed fungal hyphae and inflammatory cells. In the kidney, there was severe tubular epithelial necrosis indicated by the pyknotic nuclei, mononuclear infiltrates and haemorrhages. Considering the mortality rate, necropsy findings, microbial isolation and histopathologic observations, systemic Aspergillosis was diagnosed. The secondary bacterial infection was caused by Escherichia coli which was resistant to 8 antibiotics and susceptible only to Penstrep® (Penicillin +streptomycin). Initial resistance to copper sulphate necessitated a change to Nystatin which was used for 12 days via drinking water. Cumulative mortality was 757 (34.37%) in a flock of 2,202 chicks. Better control of systemic fungal infections may be enhanced by early application of anti-fungal susceptibility test.