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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #92111
Title: EARLY PULMONARY LESIONS IN TURKEYS PRODUCED BY NONVIABLE ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS AND/OR PASTEURELLA MULTOCIDA LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE

Author
item Kunkle, Robert
item Rimler, Richard - Rick

Submitted to: Avian Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/7/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Commercially-raised turkeys are exposed to dust which may lower resistance to pneumonia caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Turkey house dust contains a toxin called lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that is derived from some bacteria found in feces. This study assessed the potential of LPS to promote lung disease in turkeys. We demonstrated that LPS caused airsacculitis and pneumonia and inhibited clearance of A. fumigatus from pulmonary tissues. These results indicate that exposure of the respiratory tract to airborne particles containing LPS may delay removal of inhaled fungal spores from air sacs and lung, resulting in more severe disease.

Technical Abstract: This study assessed the potential of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) purified from Pasteurella multocida to cause pulmonary pathology or exacerbate lesions produced by gamma-irradiated nonviable Aspergillus fumigatus conidia when administered via the intra-air sac route in turkeys. LPS provoked air- sacculitis, pleuritis, and pneumonia and appeared to inhibit clearance of nonviable A. fumigatus conidia from pulmonary tissues. LPS in combination with A. fumigatus conidia resulted in accelerated pulmonary inflammation. Nonviable conidia did not elicit multinucleate giant cells, which are a feature of the inflammatory process in A. fumigatus infection. This study presents a model of aseptic airsacculitis and pneumonia with clinical relevance.