Emenuga V.N.^1,, Oyeka C.A.²

A total of 4860 animals were screened 2570(52.88%) were goats and 2290(47.12%) were sheep. The fungi associated with the infections were identified. Of the 2570 and 2290 of goats and sheep, 80(3.11%) and 144(6.29%) had fungal lesions respectively. Fifty soil samples from the environment were collected for fungal analysis and 31 nomads were checked for fungal lesions. Antifungal biogram and animal pathogenicity studies were also done. Prevalence of fungal infections was higher on the animals from farms than those at the markets. Infection was more prevalent in animals between 13-24 months of age. The glaborous skin was mostly affected (37.5%) in the goats, while in the sheep, the face was affected most (62.5%). Fungi recovered from the animals included Trichophyton verrucosum (19.64%), Trichophyton mentagropytes,(20.54%), Microsporum gypsum (5.80%), Sporothrix schenckii (20.98%), Candida albicans (7.59%), Fusarium solanii (5.36%), Geotricum candidum (3.13%) and Aspergillus species (16.96%). Almost the same types of fungi were isolated from the nomads and the soil. These parameters when compared statistically using ANOVA was not significant, P > 0.05. Pathogenecity studies of the isolates on laboratory mice revealed that T.mentagrophytes and T.verrucosum were highly virulent. The antifungal biogram test showed the fungal isolates to be more sensitive to Fluconazole than Ketoconazole, Miconazole and Grisofulvin. Fungal skin infections are communicable diseases and poor sanitary conditions promotes there spread but if proper sanitary measures are taken, the infections may be eradicated.

cutaneous mycoses, dermatophytes, goats, sheep, nomads, soil, antifungal drugs