Fungal Diseases of Bovines

Fungal diseases annually cause significant livestock losses affecting the economy, animal diversity and ecological balance. These diseases are transmitted among animals in different ways and endemic, especially in large and common pastures, and among the causes of their spreads are contacted, vectors, air, water, feeds, wastes and pollution. Environmental conditions play an important role in increasing the spread of disease, which is often found in humid and warm seasons compared to temperate zones. Among the most common fungal diseases in these animals are epizootic lymphangitis, ringworm, aspergillosis, mycotic mastitis, sporotrichosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, fungal abortions, pythiosis insidiosi, pithomycotoxicosis and zygomycosis. Some pathogenic fungi produce mycotoxins, which develop in places with low humidity thus suitable for bacterial growth. Methods for preparing and storing animal feed, such as grains and silage, can induce fungal toxin contamination. When animals absorb contaminated foodstuffs, the mycotoxins are transferred to animal products, such as milk or meat, and thus become a threat to human and animal health. Fungal diseases can also be transmitted to humans by direct contact with animals or animal excreta and sometimes by eating contaminated food products. This chapter discusses the most important fungal diseases infected in bovines and its impacts on animal health, agriculture and biodiversity, as well as methods of treatment and prevention.