Abstract
In the present experiment, the presence of mycological agents in chickens with skin lesions on foot pads was investigated, in order to improve the health of broiler chickens. Foot-pad dermatitis (FPD) is described in the literature as dermatitis caused by multifactor causes. The presence of irritating chemical substances in the litter, genetic predispositions of hybrids, immune suppressive diseases of chickens, as well as the composition of commercial broiler diets that influence the occurrence of wet litter, are proven factors that contribute to a more intensive incidence of foot-pad dermatitis. Foot-pad dermatitis is a condition characterized by lesions on metatarsal and digital ventral skin of poultry feet. It is type of contact dermatitis which in severe cases shows slower weight gain, poor health condition and welfare. Taking into consideration the literature data, chickens reared in closed facilities where the bacterial and mycological agents are present partly in the litter if not properly disinfected, but also in the food or the chicken plumage, we wanted to investigate their presence in the skin of foot pads. The study was focused on incidence of foot-pad dermatitis in 500 one day old broiler chickens of Hubbard genotype, in two feeding (standard/economical) programs for broilers available on our market. Chopped straw was used as litter. At the end of fattening, all chickens were examined for the presence of lesions on the skin of the feet. Total of 39 chickens were allocated to the intensity of the lesion on foot pads rated as 2 (mild) and 3 (severe). In the mycological examination of the 9 samples of autoclaved chicken legs with lesions on the feet, we have isolated and identified the presence of fungi /mould Aspergillus fumigatus. The histopathology investigation, during which the tissue section from mild and severe skin foot pads was collected and stained using Hematoxylin and eosin, revealed the hyperkeratosis, panniculitis, ballooning degeneration and dermis inflammation. No fungal elements were observed in the sections of pads stained with Gomori methenamine silver. Birds are especially susceptible to infection with Aspergillus fumigatus. That species of fungus is also classified as allergenic factor.
Highlights
In recent years, in commercial broiler production most cases of documented lesions are severe ulceration of feet or pododermatitis
The study was focused on incidence of foot-pad dermatitis in 500 one day old broiler chickens of Hubbard genotype, in two feeding programs for broilers available on our market
Lesions on the ventral foot-pads of poultry are a type of contact dermatitis often present in broiler production, in an early mild stage visible as brown or black coloured skin and in severe cases the inflammation may progress to skin ulceration (Greene et al, 1985)
Summary
In commercial broiler production most cases of documented lesions are severe ulceration of feet (metatarsal and digital foot pads) or pododermatitis. Lesions on the ventral foot-pads of poultry are a type of contact dermatitis often present in broiler production, in an early mild stage visible as brown or black coloured skin and in severe cases the inflammation may progress to skin ulceration (Greene et al, 1985). The role of other factors is less clear Bearing in mind this data, our objective was to take out pathogenic opportunistic environmental fungidermatophytes which are most frequently isolated in our country, from skin and on/in feather follicles of clinically healthy birds, Miljković et al, (2011) and affected Japanese quails, Sah et al, (1982). Gross erosive pathologic lesions usually are nonspecific and not suspected for mycosis until culture isolation of agents and histopathology examination of tissue section are carried out
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