Possibilities of using natural methods to reduce fungal infections in poultry

Fungal infections in poultry are mainly caused by Candida and Aspergillus fungi (Fig. 1). These pathogens are present in the birds' habitat, but the occurrence of infection, its form and spread in the flock depend on favorable factors. The most important of them is the number of spores in the environment, determined by the conditions in the hen house. Humidity and high temperature are conductive to fungal growth, especially as poor quality bedding or feed may itself be a source of spores.

Any immune disorders, the effects of immunosuppressants, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and, especially, the long-term antibiotic therapy used for breeding poultry make the birds' organisms even more susceptible to the development of infection. Poultry mycosis affects all production groups and may occur at any stage of the production cycle. The respiratory and digestive systems are most frequently attacked, but they may also occur in other tissues, e.g. the nervous system.

Symptoms of fungal infection in poultry

Mycosis in birds often does not develop in a typical way. The only clinical symptoms may be apathy and a decline in production parameters. As the infection progresses, further symptoms appear depending on the site of infections, e.g. local tissue damage by fungal hyphae and resulting inflammation.

If the brain is attacked, neurological disorders will occur, e.g. posture abnormalities, shaking of the head, paralysis, paresis and convulsions. In the case of respiratory infection, symptoms include shortness of breath, panting, snorting, and during post-mortem examination, characteristic white/cream fungal nodules of various sizes are observed in affected organs.

If a fungal infection in poultry occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, it will include diarrhea, white coatings on the esophagus, crop and intestinal mucosa. If a fungal skin infection occurs in poultry, the symptoms will include: peeling of the skin, grayish coating, loss of feathers, ruffling of feathers. Additionally, a characteristic "mushroom" smell may be felt in the hen house.

Fight against fungal infection in farmed poultry.

In the fight against mycosis in poultry, it is important to conduct proper biosecurity, care for the quality of bedding and feed, and proper prevention. During periods of increased risk or initial symptoms of fungal infection in birds, we can use plant substances that have a broad antifungal effect. They have the ability, among others, to inactivate microbial proteins, interfere with cell growth, disrupt ion flow through fungal cell walls as well as inactivate enzymes responsible for synthesis of the fungal cell wall, as a result of which the fungi cannot grow and multiply.

Vitamin A is particularly important during the period of fungal infections in poultry, as it affects the proper functioning of epithelial cells and mucous membranes and supports their regeneration.

By using preparations containing herbal substances, we can reduce the severity of the fungal infection in animals, bird mortality and reduce recurrence of infection during the production cycle. An additional advantage of natural medicinal products is that they can be used both as sprays and in drinking water. They can also be administered with drinking water when spraying with antifungal chemotherapeutics (they cannot be administered by any other route).

Below are clinical cases in which a preparation containing active plant substances particularly useful in the treatment of fungal infection was used (including Tea tree oil, Scots pine oil, Yellow gentian extract, Cinnamaldehyde) and recommendations for the use of Defungal Premix in the prevention and during the occurrence of fungal infections (Table 1). The key to the success of therapy without the use of chemotherapeutics is careful observation of the flock, quick response to any deviations from the physiological norm and the use of appropriate prophylaxis during the period of increased risk of mycosis in production farms. In order to enhance the effect of the therapy and improve the condition of the birds, we also recommend the use of supporting products (Table 2).