Animal Aspergillosis; Diagnostic Aspects and the One Health Per spectives
Abstract:
Aspergillosis is a respiratory disease of mammals, humans, chicken and turkey and less frequently ducks, pi geon, geese and other wild and domestic birds. It is caused by a fungal species under the genus aspergillus. The genus Aspergillus is composed of more than 300 species, a fraction of which are involved in animal or human infections mostly following environmental exposure. Aspergillus fumigatus is frequently isolated in affected animals and humans and may lead to a variety of allergic reactions and life-threatening systemic infections in Animals and humans. Aspergillus species are ubiquitous and the disease is found where ever environmental condition is favorable for growth. Various risk factors (i.e., immunosuppression, tuberculosis) have been rec ognized for human whereas for veterinary infections, unhygienic management, trauma, anatomical conforma tion of the skull or suspected immunological deficiencies have been suggested. Infection occurs by inhalation of spores. Diagnosis is based on the clinical manifestation, supported and confirmed by laboratory means, involving the classical approach of demonstrating the etiological agent in the clinical specimens and in cul ture. Non-cultural methods, such as antigen detection and/or molecular assays to detect fungal nucleic acids or protein profiles, are used as well. Treatment of aspergillosis is not effective and prevention is the best way of controlling the disease. Good managemental practices such as sanitation, avoiding wet litter or soil and moldy or dusty feeds, providing adequate ventilation, and disinfecting feed and water lines should be implemented to prevent and control the disease. Therefore, this review provides an update on the evolving epidemiology and risk factors of aspergillosis in animals as well as its public health significance.
