Prevalence of dermatophytes and fungi in Murrah buffaloes under subclinical mastitis and its associated risk factors

A study was conducted to assess the prevalence of dermatophytes and fungi in the milk of Murrah buffaloes exhibiting subclinical mastitis. Among the 22 buffaloes examined, milk samples from 6 buffaloes tested positive for subclinical mastitis. These positive samples were subjected to cultural isolation on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and staining with Lactophenol Cotton Blue (LPCB), which revealed the presence of Microsporum audouinii, mucormycetes, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae across all samples. Additionally, Fusarium oxysporum was detected in two of the six samples. The environmental factors contributing to the presence of dermatophytes and fungi in the milk were identified as contamination of bedding materials within the dairy shed, a persistent population of buffaloes carrying dermatophyte and fungal infections, continual fungal contamination of the shed environment, and a year-round climate characterized by alternating hot and cold conditions, which favored fungal growth and persistence.