Distribution of Emericella nidulans in the Environment of Thoroughbred Stables

Abstract

In order to understand the distribution of Emericella nidulans (E. nidulans), the main causative agent of guttural pouch mycosis, in the environment of Thoroughbred stable, fungal isolation was carried out from samples collected from a racehorse training center and racehorse-breeding farms. E. nidulans was isolated mainly from bedding straw at the training center stables and from straw and hay for bedding and feed at the breeding farms. Isolation rates from rice and wheat straw before use tended to be higher than those from the same materials while in use. Results of this study suggested that the main habitat of E. nidulans in the stable included straw and hay for bedding or feed and that these materials were often contaminated with fungi before use.