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Abstract Background The ubiquitous environmental fungus Aspergillus flavus is also a life‐threatening avian pathogen. Objectives This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of A. flavus isolated from turkey lung biopsy or environmental samples collected in a poultry farm. Methods A. flavus isolates were identified using both morphological and ITS sequence features. Multilocus microsatellite genotyping was performed by using a panel of six microsatellite markers. Population genetic indices were computed using FSTAT and STRUCTURE. A minimum‐spanning tree (MST) and UPGMA dendrogram were drawn using BioNumerics and NTSYS‐PC, respectively. Results The 63 environmental (air, surfaces, eggshells and food) A. flavus isolates clustered in 36 genotypes (genotypic diversity = 0.57), and the 19 turkey lung biopsies isolates clustered in 17 genotypes (genotypic diversity = 0.89). The genetic structure of environmental and avian A. flavus populations were clearly differentiated, according to both F‐statistics and Bayesian model‐based analysis’ results. The Bayesian approach indicated gene flow between both A. flavus populations. The MST illustrated the genetic structure of this A. flavus population split in nine clusters, including six singletons. Conclusions Our results highlight the distinct genetic structure of environmental and avian A. flavus populations, indicative of a genome‐based adaptation of isolates involved in avian aspergillosis.

Summary: We describe an original case of disseminated aspergillosis (pulmonary, thyroid and vertebral) in a 13-year-old girl from Tunisia. The patient had presented a thyroid node and a knee mass. The scintigraphy confirmed the cold thyroid node and an increased bone uptake in the left knee, the 5th left coast, the femur and the hip. The histological and mycological examinations concluded to an aspergillosis with Aspergillus flavus. The outcome was rapidly fatal. Few reports have been published on thyroid aspergillosis localization. This major mycosis occurs in children with septic family granulomatosis whose forecast remains dark. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]