Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243122, (U.P.) India
Online published on 19 December, 2013.
Dermatophytosis is an integumentary disease caused by the fungi belonging to a group referred as dermatophytes. It is popularly known as ring worm or tinea and it affects the keratinized tissues of animal body like skin, nail, hoof, feathers, horns and hairs. The lesions are polymorphous and develop progressively; probably due to diminished cellular immunity. It may become more serious and complicated in immunocompromised animals. Several species belong to the genera Microsporum and Trichyphyton are known to cause ringworm. Ringworm has been reported in all the species of domesticated animals irrespective of age and sex, but it is rare in sheep and very rare in goats. Despite of the fact, that dermatophytic infection in animals often go unnoticed and neglected, but in the long run, they result in considerable economic losses in terms of health and performance of the animals. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of dermatophytoses in dogs. In the present study, a total of 65 dogs from different places of Rohilkhand, Uttar Pradesh, India, were examined for presence of dermatophytic element. Skin scrapings, invaded hairs and keratinized tissue were aseptically collected and examined by both direct microscopic examination after digestion with 10% potassium hydroxide and culture method on Sabouraud‘s Dextrose agar(SDA) and on. The presence of spores and hyphae in different biosamples were further confirmed by slide culture technique. Among 65 samples, 37 were found positive for presence of mycotic elements. Dermatophyte test agar medium was used to screen the Dermatophyte. Out of which, 9 (13.85%) samples were found positive for dermatophyte, and the fungus identified was Microsporum sp. Other fungi isolated were Malassezia sp (5), Alternaria sp (5), Candida sp (7), Mucor sp (3), Aspergillusflavus (3), Aspergillus niger (3), Cladosporium sp (1), and Penicillium sp (1). This study indicates the prevalence and association of Microsporum sp mainly among the dermatophytes and wide variety of fungi in dogs of rohilkhand region.
