Research articles
ScienceAsia 47 (2021): 486-495 |doi:
10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2021.058
Evaluation of biosecurity and fungal contaminants in
the poultry farms in Songkhla Province, Thailand
Lakkhana Kanhayuwa Wingfield*, Apichaya Phaichamnan, Thavachinee Jumnongnit
ABSTRACT: Spreading of pathogenic fungi and toxigenic fungi in the poultry farms could lead to adverse health effects
to exposed workers and chickens. Soil and air (indoor and outdoor) samples from two poultry farms in Songkhla
Province, Thailand, were studied for the presence of fungal contaminants. The results demonstrated a mean value
of 4445 CFU/g and 1908 CFU/m3 from soil and air samples, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed no influence
of seasonal variation on the concentration of fungi. A total of 28 species belonging to 16 genera, including nonsporulating fungi, were recovered from soil and air samples in both poultry farms. Sixteen fungal genera were obtained
in soil samples and Penicillium was the most frequently encountered genus (34.1%), followed by Aspergillus (33.4%)
and Cladosporium (11.7%). Ten genera (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Curvularia, Trichoderma,
Acremonium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Scopulariopsis) were identified in the air samples. Characteristics of the poultry
farms and surrounding environment were described and the biosecurity level of the farms was evaluated. The results
revealed a low biosecurity level and high vulnerability to fungal contamination of the farms. The present study showed
that poultry farms were potential reservoirs of substantial loads of fungal contaminants and fungal pathogens.
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Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110 Thailand |
* Corresponding author, E-mail: Lakkhana.k@psu.ac.th
Received 30 Jan 2021, Accepted 25 Apr 2021
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