Environmental contamination by Aspergillus spp. in laying hen farms and associated health risks for farm workers

Abstract

Data on the occurrence and epidemiology of Aspergillus spp. in laying hens farms are scant. With the aims of determining levels of airborne contamination in laying hen farms and evaluating the potential risk of infection for workers and animals, 57 air samples from 19 sheds (Group I), 69 from faeces (Group II), 19 from poultry feedstuffs (Group III) and 60 from three anatomical sites (i.e. nostrils, pharynx, ears) of 20 farm workers (Group IV) were cultured. The Aspergillus spp. prevalence in samples ranged from 31.6 % (Group III) to 55.5 % (Group IV), whereas the highest conidia concentration was retrieved in Group II (1.2×104 c.f.u. g−1) and in Group III (1.9×103 c.f.u. g−1). The mean concentration of airborne Aspergillus spp. conidia was 70 c.f.u. m−3 with Aspergillus fumigatus (27.3 %) being the most frequently detected species, followed by Aspergillus flavus (6.3 %). These Aspergillus spp. were also isolated from human nostrils (40 %) and ears (35 %) (P<0.05) (Group IV). No clinical aspergillosis was diagnosed in hens. The results demonstrate a relationship between the environmental contamination in hen farms and presence of Aspergillus spp. on animals and humans. Even if the concentration of airborne Aspergillus spp. conidia (i.e. 70 c.f.u. m−3) herein detected does not trigger clinical disease in hens, it causes human colonization. Correct management of hen farms is necessary to control environmental contamination by Aspergillus spp., and could lead to a significant reduction of animal and human colonization.