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,he-matology,pathological examination and fungal species distribution.The fungal infection in the antlers as indicated by HE stai-ning,affected only epidermis and the dermis layers,with the main lesion of necrosis of the dermis tissue and inflammatory in-filtrate.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 Saccha-romycotina.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.