1.School of Life Sciences, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China; 2. Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130112, China
Abstract：Dermophytosis is a common fungal disease that affects fast-growing antlers of sika deer (Cervus nippon) and red deer (Cervus elaphus), causing the so-called ‘white-skin antlers’ and ‘crusted antlers’. Here we described the features of dermophytosis in deer antler observed from 20 affected deer from 8 farms in Jilin and Liaoning province by clinical findings, hematology, pathological examination and fungal species distribution. The fungal infection in the antlers as indicated by HE staining, affected only epidermis and the dermis layers, with the main lesion of necrosis of the dermis tissue and inflammatory infiltrate. Hematologic profile suggested the insignificant cell count change of lymphocyte, neutrophil, white blood cell between dermophytosis and healthy deer (n=10). A total of 68 fungi isolates were then recovered from the antlers with dermophytosis, of which 64.7% (44/68) were identified as members within Deuteromycotina, the rest 35.3% (24/68) belonged to the Saccharomycotina. Notably, the well-known opportunistic pathogen, including species within Trichophyton, Epidermophyton as well as Candida albican, might account for the dermophytosis of deer antler. In conclusion, ‘white-skin antlers’ and ‘crusted antlers’ are high likely caused by opportunistic fungi.
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2018, Vol. 34 
