Preliminary Investigation about <i>Aspergillus</i> spp. Spread in Umbrian Avian Farms

Among the fungi responsible for deep mycosis, the genus <i>Aspergillus</i> plays a predominant role both in human and veterinary medicine. From a “One Health” perspective, infections by <i>Aspergillus</i> spp. often represent a public health problem linked to specific occupat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Deborah Cruciani, Silvia Crotti, Carmen Maresca, Ivan Pecorelli, Emanuela Verdini, Marinella Rodolfi, Eleonora Scoccia, Sara Spina, Andrea Valentini, Francesco Agnetti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-11-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/11/1213
Description
Summary:Among the fungi responsible for deep mycosis, the genus <i>Aspergillus</i> plays a predominant role both in human and veterinary medicine. From a “One Health” perspective, infections by <i>Aspergillus</i> spp. often represent a public health problem linked to specific occupational categories that could have a greater risk of inhaling spores and developing any respiratory disease. This preliminary investigation allowed to acquire information about the spread of <i>Aspergillus</i> spp. in avian livestock of the Umbria region (Central Italy), their sensitivity to antifungals, and the presence of mycotoxins in the considered farms. Environmental, feed, animal, and human samples were collected for mycological investigations; chemical analyses were also performed in feed samples. Moreover, prevalence estimated of the fungal isolates were provided for each individual farm sampled. Direct fungal identification was possible in 298 out of the 559 total samples; 162 of the samples were positive for <i>Aspergillus</i> spp. Mycotoxins were detected in 5 out of the 21 feed samples collected. All the aspergilli tested for antifungal susceptibility were resistant to fluconazole. The results obtained show how much the genus <i>Aspergillus</i> is widespread in the investigated farms; therefore, the poultry livestock represents a favorable environment for the maintenance and spread of fungal spores and their potential transmission to animals and humans.
ISSN:2309-608X