Aspergillus species associated with dead-in-shell chick embryo in some hatcheries in Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: The present work was carried out to determine the prevalence of Aspergillus species in dead-in-shell chick embryos. Materials and Methods: A total of three thousand dead-in-shell embryonated chicken eggs were collected from the four hatcheries over a period of six months. The content of 10 eggs were pooled after decontamination of the egg surface and swab of pooled contents inoculated onto the entire surface of Sabourauds Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Corn Meal Agar (CMA) slants and growths. Results: Out of the 300 groups of pooled eggs a total of 122 (40.67%) isolates of fungi belonging to 4 species of the Genera Aspergillusviz A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. flavus and A. terreus made up48.40% (59), 22.10% (27), 22.30% (26) and 5.70% (70) of the 122 Aspergillus respectively were isolated. Conclusions: The presence of these Aspergillus species indicates that they may have been primary or secondary contributors to the embryonic mortality. Decontamination of hatcheries at regular intervals is recommended for control of these fungi.