Vol. 9, Issue 5, Part E (2024)

Studies on the prevalence of dermatophytes and fungal infections in an ovine unit was carried out as per the request of the owner, since skin lesions were observed by them in majority of the Patanwadi sheep breed. The flock had a total population of 200 Patanwadi sheep with all age groups. Since the clinical examination revealed the skin lesions such as dryness, crust formation, scales, alopecia etc. detailed examinations for fungal and dermatophytes were carried out by culture studies followed by staining techniques by collecting skin scrapings from 20 Patanwadi sheep with cutaneous lesions. The skin examination revealed the restricted infection with Microsporum auduoinii, Microsporum gypseum, M.nanum, T. tonsurans, Exserohilum rostratum, and Alternaria alternata in all sheep tested. The studies revealed the wider prevalence of the dermatophytes and fungal infections in native Patanwadi sheep breed with restricted pathogenesis that could be attributed to the strong inherited immune response of the native Patanwadi sheep breed.