DNA sequence analysis of keratinophilic fungi isolated from livestock stables in the East of Iran

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Keratinophilic fungi play an important role in the decomposition of keratinous substances in nature. This capacity induces dermatomycosis in both humans and livestock. The soil of livestock stables can be a reservoir of keratinophilic fungi. Therefore, the present study was conducted to isolate and identify keratinophilic fungi in the soil of the livestock stables located in Qayen, South Khorasan Province, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 62 soil samples collected from livestock stables. The samples were cultured by means of hair bait technique (HBT). The identification of the isolates was performed based on their morphological characteristics and then confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the ITS regions of ribosomal DNA. RESULTS: A total of 118 isolates of 7 species from 5 genera were identified. Aphanoascus verrucosu (n=70, 59.36%) was detected as the dominant keratinophilic fungus, followed by Arthroderma quadrifidum (n=13, 11.01%), A. terreus (n=12, 10.16%), Acremonium (n=12, 10.16%), A. gertleri (n=5, 4.23%), Fusarium equiseti (n=3, 2.54%), and Uncinocarpus reesii (n=3, 2.54%). CONCLUSION: Different keratinophilic fungi were isolated from the soil of livestock stables; however, A. verrucosu was found to be the dominant species.