Abstract

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Fungi like Trichophyton species have been implicated in economic loss in the livestock industry. Spread of this organism from one animal to the other and its zonotic nature necessitates this study. The aim of the study was to isolate and identify Trichophyton verrucosum from horses. The study was conducted in the Michael Okpara university farm. Three different sample types from 4 horses were used for the study and these include fecal, blood and skin scrappings. Floatation technique, hematological analysis and serum biochemistry test and Needle mount test were used. Phenotypically, the horses were emaciated with prominent rib cage at the left and right flank of the thoracic vertebrae, areas of alopecia on the left flank of the ventral lumbar vertebrae of the hind limb and ball and socket joint of the femur. The heart rate was high at an average of 67beats/min. There were no endoparasites (eggs, larvae and adult worms) detected in the feaces, low pack cell volume (28%), absence of monocytes, high aminotransferase (AST) at 612µ/L, high creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Ectoparasites (ticks and mites) were absent. Biochemically, T. verrucosum hydrolyses urea. Macroscopically, the texture of the growth organism was waxy and cottony with white coloration. Microscopically, septate, conidospore, macroconidia, microconidia were visible and the arrangement of the chlamydospores was remarkable and used for identification of T. verrucosum.

Keywords: T. verrucosum, equine, endoparasites, ectoparasites, hemanalysis, and serum biochemistry