Aflatoxins and poultry health: current understanding, diagnostic progress and control perspectives

SUMMARYAflatoxicosis in poultry is a multifaceted issue that poses serious threats to animal health, productivity, and public safety worldwide. The condition arises from the ingestion of feed contaminated with aflatoxins, mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus under poor agricultural and storage conditions, especially in warm and humid environments. Once consumed, aflatoxins metabolised in the liver into reactive compounds that disrupt cellular functions, leading to hepatotoxicity, immunosuppression, reduced growth, increased vulnerability to infections and in severe cases, death. Pathologically, aflatoxicosis is characterised by liver enlargement, fatty degeneration, bile duct hyperplasia and haemorrhages. Diagnosing aflatoxicosis involves clinical evaluation, necropsy findings, histopathology and detection of aflatoxins in feed and tissues. Beyond animal health, aflatoxin residues can accumulate in poultry products, posing a risk to human health, particularly liver cancer and growth impairments in vulnerable populations. Effective control requires a holistic approach, including good agricultural and storage practices, routine feed testing, and the use of toxin binders to reduce bioavailability. Long-term strategies should focus on developing resistant crop varieties, enhancing fungal detection technologies, and implementing biological control agents to outcompete toxigenic fungi. A comprehensive understanding of each stage in the contamination and disease pathway is essential for establishing sustainable prevention and mitigation measures.