Identification of conjunctival fornix mycoflora of Equidae (horse and mule) in Urmia district

Abstract

Abstract Fungi present on normal ocular surface become pathogen in certain conditions such as corneal damage. Therefore, Knowledge of normal conjunctival mycoflora is important for prompt and proper treatment of equine keratomycosis. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify the mycoflora of conjunctiva in clinically normal equine species in Urmia, Iran. Swabs were taken from the conjunctival fornix of both eyes of horses (n=35) and mules (n=50), without external ocular inflammation. The culture samples were seeded in Sabouraud’s dextrose agar and incubated for 10 days at 25° C. Collectively, 191 isolates belonging to 13 fungal species were identified. Aspergillus was the most commonly isolated fungal genus in horses (48.63%) and mules (38.88%). The fungal species isolated are comparable with similar studies performed on horses in other countries. This is the first report of conjunctival mycoflora in mules.

Keywords

• Mycoflora
• conjunctiva
• Aspergilulls spp
• Horse
• Mule