Molecular detection of Aspergilli from commercial chicken in selected areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to isolate, identify, and determine the prevalence of Aspergilli in commercial chicken in selected areas of Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 lung samples from suspected dead chickens, comprising broilers (n = 32) and layers (n = 18), aged between 5 days and 45 weeks, were collected from poultry farms located in the Gazipur district in Bangladesh. Fungi were primarily identified based on the colony morphology using potato dextrose agar (PDA). DNA was extracted from the suspected colonies. Aspegillus spp. was detected by genus-specific ASAP-1 and ASAP-2. Aspergillus spp. were then screened by polymerase chain reaction targeting Aspergillus flavus (FLA-1 and FLA-2), Aspergillus fumigatus (ASPU and Af3r), and Aspergillus niger (ASPU and Nilr). Results: The overall prevalence of Aspergillus spp. was 44% (n = 22/50; p < 0.05). Among the Aspergilli, A. flavus was detected in 10% (n = 5/50) of the samples. Similarly, A. fumigatus and A. niger were detected at 26% (n = 13/50) and 8% (n = 4/50) respectively. Three samples were associated with more than one fungus; two fungi (A. flavus and A. niger) were in two samples, and three fungi (A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and A. niger) were in one sample. Conclusion: Isolation and prevalence of Aspergillus spp. in commercial chicken were studied for the first time in Bangladesh.

Aspergillus spp. Isolated from Lungs of Poultry (Gallus gallus) at the Mycology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica between 2008 and 2021 and Associated Factors

“…Aspergillus infections have been documented in all ages of birds, but the extremes of age are the most affected [ 37 ]. In the present study, a higher risk was obtained in birds older than 16 days, such as in the research in Bangladesh [ 25 ], in which a higher infection of Aspergillus flavus was reported in animals older than 3 weeks. In addition, also in Bangladesh, a higher mortality was observed and associated with aspergillosis in chickens of Isa Brown and Hy-Line breeds from three to eight weeks of age [ 34 ].…”

“…In another investigation carried out in Egypt, Aspergillus flavus was the most common, at 60% (24/40) [ 28 ]. Mixed isolates have also been obtained in other investigations in low proportions [ 25 , 28 , 30 ]. Regarding the occurrence of Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus candidus , and Aspergillus ochraceus (belonging to Aspergillus section Circumdati ), it has also been reported with less frequency [ 23 , 31 ].…”

“…In most of the studies consulted, A. fumigatus was the most prevalent, ranging from 9.6 to 34.5% [ 1 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 31 ]; the findings obtained in Costa Rica confirmed the same. However, in investigations carried out in Iran and Indonesia, Aspergillus niger was the most isolated, having values of 37.5% (225/600) and 40% (12/30), respectively [ 29 , 30 ].…”

“…A review of common respiratory diseases in poultry carried out in Bangladesh mentioned that 6.14% of 1981 birds with respiratory signs were diagnosed with aspergillosis, but only by clinical findings without laboratory confirmation [ 24 ]. More recently and also in Bangladesh, a 36% (18/50) prevalence of this fungus was reported in chicken lung samples, confirmed by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses [ 25 ].…”

“…At the same time, the greatest risk of isolating section Nigri in this province could be attributed to this fungus halotolerance [ 21 , 22 ], which coincides with the study carried out in Payakumbuh, Indonesia (a coastal zone) in broiler chicken lungs, where A. niger was most frequently isolated [ 29 ]. Furthermore, this fungus was the second most isolated section in samples of laryngeal swabs from poultry and the most frequently isolated in sputum samples of poultry workers in Quena, Egypt [ 29 ]; in Bangladesh, this fungus was found in higher numbers in samples from 2–3-week-old birds [ 25 ].…”