OCCURRENCE OF AEROSACCULITIS IN BROILERS: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY AT A FEDERALLY INSPECTED SLAUGHTERHOUSE

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze data on airsacculitis in broiler chickens slaughtered under federal inspection (SIF) at a cooperative in western Paraná, Brazil, from January to December 2025. Airsacculitis is one of the main respiratory alterations observed in poultry production and is associated with carcass condemnations during post-mortem inspection, resulting in economic losses to the production chain. This was an observational, retrospective study based on the analysis of official data obtained from the unit's internal records. The percentages of airsacculitis condemnations among the flocks slaughtered from January to December were evaluated, considering partial and total condemnations and the number of birds slaughtered. The results demonstrated the continuous occurrence of the condition throughout the evaluated period, with a predominance of partial condemnations and a higher concentration of cases during the winter months, suggesting a possible influence of seasonality on the disease. It was concluded that airsacculitis represents an important cause of condemnations in poultry slaughterhouses and that factors related to management, environmental conditions, and the sanitary status of the flocks may influence the occurrence of the disease. The findings reinforce the importance of health monitoring and the adoption of preventive measures on farms as strategies to reduce productive and economic losses.