Pathogenicity and enzyme screening of some selected non-dermatophytic moulds

Ten non-dermatophytic moulds isolated from both symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle skin, including Penicillum citrinum, Aspergillus welwitschiae, Aspergillus aculeatus, Curvularia kusanol, Cladosporium teniussmum, Pestalotiopsis microspora, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium linchenicola, Absidia sp. and Aspergillus fumigatus, were subjected to a pathogenicity test using albino mice. These isolates were also screened for five enzymes using a standard plate method. Results from pathogenicity tests showed that Absidia sp., Cladosporium tenuissimum and Aspergillus welwitschiae were able to elicit discoloration, lesion production and alopecia on the albino mice skin, respectively, providing evidence of clinical symptoms associated with cutaneous mycoses. The enzyme screening results revealed the highest zone of activity for keratinase (65 mm), amylase (86 mm), protease (60 mm), lipase (60 mm) and cellulase (86 mm) which were observed on Pestalotiopsis microspora, Aspergillus welwitschiae, Cladosporium tenuissimum, Aspergillus welwitschiae and Aspergillus welwitschiae respectively. Pathogenicity tests showed that some of these moulds may be virulent and this can be attributed to their possession of some virulence factors, including secretion of hydrolytic enzymes.