Poultry dust as reservoirs of fungal pathogens: A hidden transboundary health concern Biological Resilience

In poultry farming, information regarding exposure risks from fungal contaminants, particularly opportunistic pathogens in the Aspergillus genus, remains scarce. This is a critical gap in biosecurity, as species from this genus, now classified as a WHO critical priority group, have already recovered from these environments. This study investigates seasonal (Summer/Winter) fungal contamination in poultry farms using electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs). Also, cytotoxicity analysis (MTT assays) was conducted to evaluate the effect of EDC contaminants on cell viability (swine kidney (SK), human lung epithelial (A549) cells). EDC extracts induced the highest toxicity on both cell lines during summer. These findings underscore a clear seasonal pattern of health risks, which gain additional urgency in the context of climate change. By mapping contamination and identifying high-risk periods, this study supports the development of targeted biosecurity interventions to mitigate potential zoonotic threats and strengthen global health security within a critial food production system.