Yeasts as animal pathogens Jand S.K., Kaur Paviter, Sharma N.S. Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, PAU, Ludhiana–141 003 (Punjab) Abstract Yeasts are oval, spherical, elongated or rectangular unicellular fungal cells of about 3-5 µm diameter. However sometimes they adhere in chains, forming pseudomycelium and reproducing through budding. These form moist colonies that are usually larger, but not unlike bacterial colonies. Yeasts have been known to man since ages–ever since the use of wine and baked bread. Not even a single day passes during which all of us are not benefited or harmed directly or indirectly by these organisms. These are involved in number of industrial processes of fermentation, such as the making of bread, wines, beers, and the fermentation of the coaca beans and the preparation of certain cheeses. These have been found to be associated with number of disease manifestations, both in animals and human beings. The yeasts are mainly opportunistic organisms producing disease conditions both in animals and man. Excessive and erratic use of antibiotics, corticosteroides, immunosuppressive drugs and chronic diseases are the major contributing factors in increasing incidence of diseases due to yeasts. Yeasts in different hosts produce multifarious clinical manifestations e.g. thrush, disseminated candidiasis, cryptococcosis, mastitis, etc. Top |