Gliotoxinogenic Aspergillus fumigatus in the dairy herd environment

Abstract

The potential association between hygienic conditions in the environment of lactating cows and the presence of gliotoxinogenic Aspergillus fumigatus strains was studied. Milk samples (individual cow's milk [ICM], bulk tank milk [BTM]) from 44 dairy farms were sampled. In ICM samples, eight different species of Aspergillus were identified. A. flavus and A. fumigatus were predominant, with 37.8% and 26.1% relative densities, respectively. A. fumigatus strains were isolated from 61.4% of the BTM samples, and 34% of these strains were able to produce gliotoxin. Principal component analysis was used to associate the presence of A. fumigatus with some hygienic and sanitary practices. A significant and positive correlation was observed between dry cow therapy and forestripping. The presence of A. fumigatus gliotoxin producers in milk was associated with high somatic cells count (SCC) samples. Good hygienic and sanitary practices were associated with absence of A. fumigatus and relatively low SCCs of <250,000 cells/ml. In general, a high percentage of dairy farms were positive for A. fumigatus in BTM samples. This is the first work that indicates the positive effects of adequate hygienic and sanitary practices in dairy herds on the control of A. fumigatus and related species. By reducing the frequency of Aspergillus spp. in the dairy environment, the risk of farm handlers' exposure and the risk of intramammary fungal infections would also be reduced.

Modelling the effect of pH and water activity in the growth ofAspergillus fumigatusisolated from corn silage

“…They had previously been characterized as gliotoxin producers (Pellegrino et al . ). The silage samples were collected from a feed plant located in the south of Córdoba Province in 2011.…”

“…These isolates were kept in the National University of R ıo Cuarto, C ordoba, Argentina (RC) Collection Centre. They had previously been characterized as gliotoxin producers (Pellegrino et al 2013). The silage samples were collected from a feed plant located in the south of C ordoba Province in 2011.…”

Eukaryotic Infections in Dairy Calves: Impacts, Diagnosis, and Strategies for Prevention and Control

“…Moreover, the study identified an association between the presence of A. fumigatus and the severity of respiratory distress in the calves. Another study by 23 investigated the pathogenicity of A. fumigatus in dairy calves. The study found that A. fumigatus was capable of causing severe lung lesions and mortality in experimentally infected calves.…”

“…Diagnosis is typically made through more advanced diagnostic techniques such as PCR and ELISA. 23 Preventing and controlling Eimeria spp infections in dairy calves is critical to maintaining calf health and reducing economic losses. Management practices, such as proper sanitation and hygiene, can help reduce the risk of Eimeria infection.…”

Mycotoxins in milk for human nutrition: cow, sheep and human breast milk

“…In contrast, other mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, are found in milk only in low concentrations [ 18 ]. This applies also to gliotoxin [ 19 ].…”