Version 4: PATHOGENECITY AND ENZYME SCREENING OF SOME SELECTED NON-DERMATOPHYTIC MOLDS

A total of 10 non-dermatophytic molds isolated from both symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle skin which includes Penicillum citrinum, Aspergillus welwitschiae, Aspergillus aculeatus, Curvularia kusanol, Cladosporium teniussmum, Pestalotiopsis microspora, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium linchenicola, Absidia sp. and Aspergillus fumigatuswere subjected to a pathogenicity test using albino mice. These isolates were also screened for five enzymes using standard plate method. Result from pathogenicity test showed that Absidia sp, C. tenuissimum and Aspergillus welwitschiae were able to elicit discoloration, lesion production and alopecia on the albino mice skin respectively which are evidences of clinical symptoms associated of cutaneous mycoses. The enzyme screening results revealed the highest zone of activity for keratinase (65mm), amylase (86mm), protease (60mm), lipase (60mm) and cellulase (86mm) which were observed on P. microspora, A. welwitschiae, C. tenuissimum, A. welwitschiae and A. welwitschiae respectively.  Pathogenicity test from this study shows that some of these molds may be virulent and that can be attributed to their ability to possess some virulent factors which includes secretion of hydrolytic enzymes.