Ringworm by Trichophyton erinacei in calves:Ringworm by Trichophyton erinacei in calves:description of two Italian outbreaks
Martedì, 28 Luglio 2020
F. Agnetti et al
- Riferimento: Large Animal Review 2020; 26: 141-143
- Abstract: Trichophyton erinacei is a zoonotic dermatophyte mainly isolated from hedgehogs. In other hosts (human or animals) it can cause skin infections, with typical clinical features of dermatophytosis. It has never been reported in cattle in which T. verrucosum is frequently isolated, particularly in calves. The present case report describes two outbreaks (case A and case B) of cattle ringworm caused by T. erinacei in Northern Italy; the first case involved a group of 5 month old Bruna Alpina calves, while the second one concerned a group of 24 months (approximate) Italian Frisona cows. Herd A was subjected to a regular vaccination protocol against T. verrucosum, but the calves involved in the outbreak had not yet been vaccinated. Crusts, alopecic and pruritic skin lesions, appeared about 4 months before the clinical visit, were mainly distributed on the head, trunk and flanks in all the animals involved. The veterinarian of farm B detected abdomen skin lesions compatible with dermatophytosis about 2 weeks after the appearance of the disease in the animals. Animal and human hairs/crusts samples were collected for mycological investigations by cultural and molecular methods (PCR and sequencing). The colonies observed showed macroand microscopical features attributable to T. mentagrophytes, however the strain has been confirmed as T. erinacei by molecular analysis. The described cases showed that T. erinacei can cause bovine ringworm, with clinical features completely comparable to those expressed by T. verrucosum. The use of vaccination in some animals of herd A appears to have contributed to their protection against the mycosis, as demonstrated by the fact that only non-vaccinated animals showed T. erinacei skin lesions. The use of different laboratory diagnostic methods was essential to reach a correct fungal identification. Furthermore, it was possible to confirm that this is the first Italian isolation of T. erinacei from calves.
- Specie: animali da reddito
- Anno: 2020
- Rivista: Large Animals Review
- Allegato: DOWNLOAD ALLEGATO
Editoria Scientifica