Concurrent Aspergillosis and Ascites with High Mortality in a Farm of Growing Broiler Chickens

Two flocks of broiler chickens aged 15 to 30 days presented respiratory signs such as dyspnea and up to 25% mortality. These were the only two flocks in the farm where a bed of sunflower shells was used instead of the rice-hull bedding used in other flocks. At necropsy, severe ascites, right heart hypertrophy, pulmonary congestion, and extensive multifocal granulomatous pneumonia were recorded. Histopathologic examination revealed chronic multifocal mycotic granulomatous pneumonia. Aspergillus fumigatus was identified by microbiologic study from pulmonary specimens. After disinfecting the floor and changing the bedding, no clinical signs were recorded in the farm. Severe chronic granulomatous pneumonia caused by A. fumigatus in the chickens of the present study may have caused hypoxia, leading to pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and ascites. Abbreviations: ARVF = ascites secondary to right ventricular failure; DERM = Dermasel; H&E = hematoxylin and eosin; MY = mycophil medium; SAB = Sabouraud's glucose agar base medium; SABY = Sabouraud's glucose agar base medium with 1% yeast extract Reporte de Caso—Aspergillosis y ascitis con alta mortalidad en una granja de pollos de engorde. Dos lotes de pollos de 15 a 30 días de edad mostraron signos respiratorios como disnea, con un 25% de mortalidad. Estos fueron los únicos dos lotes donde se utilizó como camada la cascarilla de girasol en lugar de la cascarilla de arroz que fue utilizada en otros lotes. En la necropsia se encontró una ascitis severa, hipertrofia del corazón derecho, congestión pulmonar y extensa neumonía granulomatosa multifocal. El examen histopatológico reveló una neumonía granulomatosa micótica, multifocal y crónica. Se identificó el Aspergillus fumigatus a partir de muestras pulmonares. Después de desinfectar el piso y cambiar la camada, no se observaron signos clínicos en la granja. En el caso actual, la neumonía granulomatosa crónica causada por A. fumigatus pudo haber causado hipoxia, generando hipertensión pulmonar, fallo cardíaco y ascitis.