FUNGAL ISOLATION FROM SUSPECTED DERMATOPHILOSIS SKIN LESIONS IN CATTLE SLAUGHTERED IN MAKURDI ABATTOIRS, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Dermatophilosis, caused by Dermatophilus congolensis, is a significant skin disease affecting cattle in Nigeria, often complicated by secondary fungal infections that prolong healing and increase economic losses. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and determine the prevalence of fungal organisms associated with dermatophilosis lesions in cattle slaughtered at three major abattoirs in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. A total of 384 skin lesion samples were collected from cattle showing clinical signs of dermatophilosis across Wurukum Abattoir (165 samples), Wadata Abattoir (130 samples), and Northbank Abattoir (89 samples). Samples were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar supplemented with chloramphenicol and incubated at room temperature (25 - 300C) for 3-14 days. Fungal identification was performed using lactophenol cotton blue staining and microscopic examination of colonial and morphological characteristics. Results revealed 100% fungal colonization of all suspected dermatophilosis skin lesions, with 480 fungal isolates obtained. Aspergillus species dominated with 370 isolates (77.08%), followed by Mucor with 76 isolates (15.83%), Penicillium with 21 isolates (4.38%), and unidentified species accounting for 13 isolates (2.7%). Speciation of Aspergillus isolates showed A. niger as the most prevalent (50.81%), followed by A. flavus (32.43%) and A. fumigatus (16.75%). Distribution analysis across abattoirs indicated Wurukum Abattoir had the highest fungal recovery (210 isolates, 43.75%), followed by Wadata (180 isolates, 37.5%) and Northbank (90 isolates, 18.75%). The universal fungal colonization of dermatophilosis lesions confirms that this condition represents a polymicrobial disease complex involving primary bacterial infection with secondary fungal invasion. The predominance of Aspergillus species, particularly mycotoxin-producing strains (A. niger and A. flavus) and potentially invasive species (A. fumigatus), alongside Mucor species, poses significant risks to both animal health and public health through occupational exposure of abattoir workers. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive treatment protocols addressing both bacterial and fungal components, enhanced meat inspection procedures with proper condemnation of affected tissues, and implementation of occupational health safety measures including personal protective equipment for workers handling infected animals. Further research on antifungal susceptibility patterns and the development of effective therapeutic strategies for managing fungal co-infections in dermatophilosis is recommended