Dermatophilus congolensis is a gram-positive bacterium that causes dermatophilosis, a skin infection in animals and humans manifesting as crusty scabs containing the microorganism. It is prevalent worldwide and most commonly affects cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, causing diseases known as "lumpy wool" or "strawberry foot rot." Recent isolates from sea turtles may be a new Dermatophilus species. D. congolensis has two morphological forms - filamentous hyphae and motile zoospores. Microscopic examination can identify the organism by its characteristic "railroad track-like" patterns of parallel and longitudinal rows of zoospores in skin crusts
