Clinical and histopathological study of brooder pneumonia in broiler farms

Abstract

The outbreaks of aspergillosis in broiler chicks (4-15 days old) were observed from January to July, 2011 in five broiler farms. The disease was detected on the basis of clinical signs, gross, histopathological and cultural findings. Infected chicks showed signs of ruffled feathers, green watery diarrhea, anorexia, gasping and dyspnea. On examination, numerous small white yellowish nodules were seen in the lungs, air sacs, kidneys, thoracic wall and abdominal serosa. Microscopically the lungs revealed granulomas with central areas of caseation surrounded by heterophils and giant cells. Aspergillus fumigatus could be isolated in Sabouraud’s dextrose agar from the lesions. Higher morbidity (76 to 100%) and mortality (62.5 to 100%) rates were recorded in the five farms. This is the first record on the occurrence of acute aspergillosis in broiler chicks from Sulaimania/ Iraq.