1Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishvidhyalaya Ewam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura–281001 (U.P.), India
2Department of Veterinary Medicine, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishvidhyalaya Ewam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura–281001 (U.P.), India
3Department of Livestock Production Management, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishvidhyalaya Ewam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura–281001 (U.P.), India
Online published on 19 December, 2013.
Fungal dermatitis is attributed to pathogenic zoophilic as well as geophilic dermatophytes, especially in immunologically naïve young animals. The present study was aimed to isolate and characterize the causative agents of dermatitis in a two month old male calf of an organized dairy farm (DDD Farm of DUVASU, Mathura). Superficial lesions illustrated hair loss over dorsum and neck region with alopecia, scaly skin and crust formation near eye, ear and lower abdomen regions. Skin scrapping was collected for microbiological investigation. Direct microscopic examination, cultural identification, wet mount technique and morphological characters suggested involvement of mycotic agents. Presence of multi-septate macroconidia revealed pathogenic dermatophytes and presence of saprophytic as well as non-dermatophytic fungal species such as Aspergillus niger, A. fumigates, Candida and Penicillium spp. Cultural characteristics over different fungal media viz SDA with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide and over Potato dextrose agar further confirmed presence of pathogenic fungal species such as Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum nanum, being geophilic dermatophytes affecting young calf. Present study concluded involvement of fungal agents in skin affections of young calves which demands attention of clinicians and microbiologists for accurate diagnosis to check the further spread of infection among other closely present calves.
