Abstract
In recent decades, the spectrum of pathogens has shifted, with an increasing proportion of opportunistic and rare fungi involved in the development of skin infections in animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological properties of rare opportunistic mold fungi isolated from the skin of farm animals in Kazakhstan. 760 biomaterial samples collected from cattle, sheep, and horses in six regions of Northern and Central Kazakhstan were analyzed. Mycological analysis yielded 281 fungal isolates, including rare representatives of the genera Chaetomium, Trichoderma, and Trichothecium. Isolates were identified using culture-morphological and molecular genetic methods. The enzymatic (proteolytic, urease, saccharolytic), keratinophilic, and keratinolytic activities of the strains were studied. It was established that the rare isolates possess pronounced enzymatic potential associated with pathogenic factors. Chaetomium globosum exhibited high keratinophilic and keratinolytic activity. Trichoderma citrinoviride exhibited high carbohydrate digestion activity and moderate keratinolytic activity. Trichothecium roseum exhibited high overall enzymatic activity and the ability to actively destroy hair.