Isolation of keratinophilic fungi and other dermatophytes from feathers of Nigerian turkey

The study determined the prevalence of keratinophilic fungi and other dermatophytes from the feathers of Turkey in Nigeria. A total of 100 samples between August to December 2004 were selected and examined for the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi and dermatophytes. Only 23 showed some scaling and peeling around the feathers. Diagnosis by culture showed that 5 different genera of fungi were recovered from 78 of the 100 samples screened. They included Microsporum gallinae, 11 (14%), Microsporum gypseum, 15 (19%), Trichephyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes, 5 (6%), Trichophyton equinum, 5 (6%), Arthroderma curreyi, 6 (8%), Chrysosporium tropicum, 20 (26%) and Ctenomyces serratus, 16 (21%). Chrysosporium tropicum and Ctenomyles serratus were the most frequently isolated keratinophilic fungi. The abdominal region was the commonest site of isolation of keratinophilic and other dermatophytes in 55 (70.5%) of the 78 positive samples. The study further showed that turkey feathers that are apparently healthy harbour variety of fungi that may be potential pathogens. Keywords: keratinophilic fungi, dermatophytes, turkey feathers Sudanese Journal of Dermatology Vol. 3(3) 2005: 119-12