The hyphae are characterized by branching filaments (1-5 μm in diameter) that ultimately fragment by both transverse and longitudinal separation into packets of coccoid cells.

[1] With the microscope, one can observe the characteristic "tramcar line"–like D. congolensis colonies together with Gram-positive thin filaments and coccoid forms.

After 3–4 days, the isolated bacterial colonies can reach a 3-mm diameter, and they have a rough surface and yellow-golden pigmentation.

Humans can also get this skin disease if elementary hygiene measures are not observed after dealing with infected animals.

[citation needed] From the Greek derma (skin) + philos (loving), Dermatophilus congolensis is a Gram-positive, aerobic actinomycete, and facultatively anaerobic bacteria.