Dermatophytes and other Skin Mycoses Found in Featherless Broiler Toe Webs

ABSTRACT

Background: Feartherless broilers which are produced by a complex breeding programme from feathered parents carrying the Sc-gene; dissipates excessive body heat under hot and humid conditions. It has high body weight; and grows very rapidly when compared with standard commercial broilers. Their toe webs are bigger than standard commercial broilers; and could harbor fungi which can cause infections where there is the opportunity. Objectives: To isolate and identify the presence of fungi in toe webs of featherless broilers. Methods: A total of 50 featherless broilers' toe webs samples were examined microscopically for the presence of fungi. The samples were examined microscopically and culturally using standard microbiological techniques. Results: The fungi recovered were as follows. Microsporum gypseum 9 (22); Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes 5 (12); Microsporum gallinae 3 (7); Aspergilus flavus 10 (24); Fusarium sp 6 (15); Alternaria alternata 3 (7) Scopulariopsis brevicaulis 2 (5) and Candida albicans 3 (7); Conclusion: The featherless broilers' toe webs habour fungi which cause mycotic skin disease and cannot be regarded as ordinary normal flora of toe webs