Aspergillus infection is widely distributed that may be found wherever the environmental condition is favorable for fungal growth. Beside the significant economic losses caused by aspergillosis in the poultry industry, it has great public health significance as a zoonotic disease. So the present study was performed to ascertain the presence of Aspergillus species in birds, environmental samples and humans in Qena Province, Egypt. Ninety laryngeal swabs were taken from chickens, ducks, and pigeons showed respiratory manifestations (30 from each), samples from soil, water, and air (30 from each), as well as 60 human samples were collected including 30 laryngeal swabs from those in contact with diseased birds and 30 sputum samples from patients admitted to Qena Chest Hospital with pulmonary complaints. The results displayed that all examined chickens were infected with Aspergillus while the incidences of Aspergillus infection in ducks and pigeons were 80 and 56.6%, respectively. Soil, water, and air were contaminated with Aspergillus in incidences of 66.6, 40 and 100%, respectively. The isolated Aspergillus species were identified phenotypically as A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger. These species were also isolated from 36.3% and 50% of human laryngeal swabs and sputum samples respectively. A phylogenetic analysis of A. fumigatus isolates based on ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region was conducted. Similarity search was performed at NCBI for comparison with the reference sequences and identification. These results illustrate a relationship between the environmental contamination in poultry areas and infection of poultry and humans with Aspergillus species.
Key words: Aspergillus, Birds, Environment, Humans, Polymerase chain reaction
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