Granulatous nodules on abdominal serosa of chick infected with Aspergillus species

Aspergillus sp 감염에 의한 닭 복강장막의 육아종성 결절 발생 례

Aspergillosis, caused by infection with Aspergillus fumigatus and less commonly by other Aspergillus species, is a prevalent and costly respiratory disease of poultry, In a flock of chicks, the number of birds, 4∼5 months old, had become gradually emaciated and subsequently died. Gross necropsy revealed multiple granulomatous masses on the abdominal serosa. The masses, 4∼15 mm in size, were attached on mainly intestinal wall. Also, the smaller masses in size were on mesentery and pancreas. However, only a few small white nodules were scattered throughout liver and lung in few samples. Microscopically, the mass were granulomatous with a central area of necrosis containing numerous septate, branched fungal hypae consistent with Aspergillus sp. These were surrounded by macrophages, giant cells, lymphocytes and fibrous tissues. Nodular lesions of liver and lung were seemed to spread hemotogenously from intestine and the possible route of infection was speculated by oral. This report is a Aspergillus-induced granuloma limited to the serosa of abdominal cavity, especially of intestinal wall.