Pneumo-encephalitic aspergillosis in broiler breeder flock

Pneumo-encephalitic aspergillosis in a broiler breeder flock having respiratory and nervous signs due to Aspergillus fumigatus is reported. Clinically chicks showed dyspnoea, torticollis, incoordination and stunting with mortality of 3.37% in female chicks and 6.57% in male chicks. On postmortem examination, white to yellow caseous nodules were observed on lungs, thoracic air sacs, and cerebellum. Histopathological examination of lungs and cerebellum revealed granulomatous inflammation and necrotic meningo-encephalitis. Fungal hyphae were observed in stained sections prepared from lungs, air sac and cerebellum. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the lungs, brain and litter. The flock was treated successfully with copper sulphate.