The development in beef cattle manure of Petriellidium boydii (Shear) Malloch, a potential pathogen for man and cattle

Abstract

Petriellidium boydii (Allescheria boydii) dominated the mycoflora of manure samples from three beef cattle feedlots after incubation at room temperature for 4 months. The possible dangers associated with this pathogenic fungus, which causes mycotic abortion in livestock, pulmonary allescheriasis in man, and mycetomas in both man and animals, are discussed. This fungus could create a health hazard in feedlots where in situ manure decomposition is encouraged.