Evaluation of Microbiological and Chemical Contaminants in Poultry Farms

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the microbiological and chemical contamination in settled dust at poultry farms. The scope of research included evaluating the contributions of the various granulometric fractions in settled dust samples, assessing microbial contamination using culture methods, concentrations of secondary metabolites in dust and their cytotoxicity against hepatocyte chicken cells by means of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tests. In addition, we also evaluated the concentration of selected volatile odorous compounds (VOCs) using gas chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods and airborne dust concentration in the air with DustTrak™ DRX Aerosol Monitor. Studies were carried out on chicken broilers and laying hens at 13 poultry farms, with numbers of birds ranging from 8000 to 42,000. The airborne total dust concentration at poultry farms averaged 1.44 mg/m3 with a high percentage of the PM10 fraction (particulate matter with a diameter less than 10 μm). Microorganism concentrations in the settled dust were: 3.2 × 109 cfu/g for bacteria and 1.2 × 106 cfu/g for fungi. Potential pathogens (Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Paecilomyces variotii) were also found. Secondary metabolites included aurofusarin, deoxynivalenol, 15-hydroxyculmorin zearalenone, zearalenone-sulfate, infectopyron, and neochinulin A. However, the dust samples showed weak cytotoxicity towards chicken hepatocyte cells, which ranged between 9.2% and 29.7%. Among volatile odorous compounds ammonia, acrolein, methyloamine, acetic acid, acetoaldehyde and formaldehyde were detected in the air. In conclusion, settled dust can be a carrier of microorganisms, odours and secondary metabolites in poultry farms, which can be harmful to workers’ health.

Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance of Enterobacteria Isolated From Broilers in a Poultry Farm of Perm Krai: А 14-Year Study

“…Само по себе промышленное содержание птицы служит мощным стрессорным фактором, модулирующим реакции врожденного и приобретенного иммунитета, снижающим резистентность птиц даже к собственной микробиоте, что создает предпосылки для воздействия бактерий на организм и быстрого распространения возбудителей болезней. В последние годы в птицеводческих хозяйствах возросла циркуляция условно-патогенных и патогенных микроорганизмов, которые могут быть причиной пищевых отравлений человека (17)(18)(19). Необходимость исследования динамики распространения антибиотикорезистентности у представителей семейства Enterobacteriaceae не вызывает сомнения.…”

A tracing method of airborne bacteria transmission across built environments

“…On a broader scale, microorganism could be shed via/from activity (coughing, sneezing, talking, or breathing), skin and excrement of individuals and aerosolized into airborne microorganism [41,[58][59][60][61]. Large amount of particulate matter and microorganism, including pathogens, were emitted from animal houses by the ventilation system [62][63][64][65], which resulted in higher concentration of particulate matter and airborne microorganism in their vicinity [66,67]. An airborne transmission model, which obtained from Gaussian Plume Model by incorporating the dust deposition process, pathogen decay, and a model for the infection process on exposed farms, revealed that wind-borne route alone was insufficient when compare transmission risk pattern predicted by the model with the pattern observed during the 2003 epidemic [68].…”

Relation Between Microclimate and Air Quality in the Extensively Reared Turkey House

“…Ammonia concentration of 20 ppm will cause eye and airway irritation in poultry, resulting in impaired feeding, lower weight gain and larger susceptibility to viral infections, thus being considered a critical level of ammonia (20,21). Carbon dioxide is present in the atmosphere at a concentration of 300-400 ppm, with 3000 ppm as the maximal allowed level in the air of poultry house (11,22). Higher air concentrations of carbon dioxide will cause circulatory derangements and appetite reduction.…”

“…Considering microorganisms, saprophytic bacteria prevail in poultry houses; however, the presence of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, spores and other microorganisms has also been reported. Nearly 80% of microorganisms present in the air of poultry houses originate from the animals accommodated there (9)(10)(11). Air concentrations of microorganisms and noxious gases depend, among others, on bird age, type of housing system and stocking density, manure management, efficiency of ventilation, and microclimate that is primarily determined by air temperature, relative humidity and airflow rate.…”