Climate change-shifts in dermatophytes, fungi and yeasts activities: A field level retrospective study in domestic animals

Abstract

Studies that were carried out in the years 2023-25 reviewed the prevalence of dermatophytes, fungal infections, and yeasts in domesticated animal species and correlated them with the factors associated with climate change. The above studies were carried out using sub-clinical mastitis milk samples and cutaneous lesion samples of cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, canines, felines, equines and camels by culture and staining techniques. The culture and staining studies on cow milk samples revealed T. verrucosum and Exserohilum rostratum in Holstein-Friesian animals. In buffaloes, a combination of M. audouinii and mucormyces in one group and a combination of M. audouinii, mucormyces, Fusarium oxysporum and S. cervicae in another group was observed. In goats, the milk samples confirmed the presence of M. gypseum, M. nanum, T. tonsurans, & Exserohilum rostratum. The cutaneous samples from HF cows revealed T. verrucosum and exserohilum rostratum. The skin samples of Murrah buffaloes showed audouinii and mucormycaetae. The goat samples of the skin in this study revealed T. verrucosum, M. gypseum, A. niger, Exserohilum rostratum, Alternariya alternata, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and the sheep skin samples showed the prevalence of M. auduoiinii, M. gypseum, M. nanum, T. tonsurans, Exserohilum rostratum, Alternaria alternata. The cutaneous lesion samples of canine population revealed Demodex folliculorum, M. auduoinii, M. nanum, T. rubrum, Candida albicans. The feline samples showed lesions for Microsporum Sp and mucormycetae and the camels showed lesions for Trycophyton mentagraphytes, Sarcoptes scabiei var cameli. The equines were affected with M. nanum, T. rubrum, T. mentagraphytes, Alternaria alternata, Exserohilum rostratum, and Candida albicans. The studies on the prevalence of Trycophyton species, Microsporum species, candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and sarcoptes scabiei var cameli mange were considered as invasive pathogenic organisms in endemic farm premises, while the prevalence of Exserohilum rostratum, Alternaria alternate, Fusarium oxysporum and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis considered as opportunistic organisms invading the system of the concerned animals under stress conditions, where the climatic change considered as a major parameter.