Aspergillus fumigatus as a cause of mycotic tracheitis in a chicken

An unusual case of mycotic tracheitis in a young chick caused by Aspergillus fumigatus was recorded from Anand, India, during 1987. The pathogen was demonstrated in the tracheal exudate by potassium hydroxide technique and also recovered from the trachea on Sabouraud dextrose agar at 37 degrees C. The characteristic hyphae of Aspergillus spp. were demonstrated in tracheal mucosa in histopathological sections stained by periodic acid Schiff method. Interestingly, the lesions were confined only to the trachea. Environmental investigations established the source of infection in the farm where the litter was highly contaminated with A. fumigatus.