An outbreak of ringworm in young calves is reported from Vom in Nigeria. Twelve out of fourteen calves were observed to have skin lesions consistent with dermatophytosis. Lesions were seen mostly around the eyes and neck. Skin scrapings were collected from the affected areas and processed for mycology. Trichophyton verrucosum was isolated from all the affected calves. This study has shown that T. verrucosum can be a problem to watch for in calves in this particular environment, both as a zoonosis and economic importance as a result of damage to hides and skin. The need to study the prevalence of the disease among the cattle population in the state and country with a view to instituting preventive and control measures was emphasized.
Background and Aim:Dermatophytosis is an infection of the superficial, keratinized structures of the skin, nails, and hair of man and animals caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes in the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. The prevalence of dermatophytosis among cattle in Nigeria and Plateau State, in particular, is yet to be fully determined. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the distribution of dermatophytosis lesions on cattle in Plateau State, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:Four hundred and thirty-seven cattle showing visible skin lesions suggestive of dermatophytosis were drawn from nine local government areas (three each) from the three senatorial districts of Plateau State, Nigeria. Skin scrapings were aseptically collected using a cross-sectional study, in which sampling units were selected using purposive sampling method. Samples were processed for both direct microscopic examination and isolation of dermatophytes in culture. The isolates were stained with lactophenol cotton blue and identified microscopically based on the size, shape, and arrangement of macro- and micro-conidia. The dermatophytes were further identified by determining the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions of their ribosomal DNA. Data were analyzed and presented as percentages, bar graph, and Chi-square test of association. p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The overall prevalence rate of bovine dermatophytosis in Plateau State was found to be 11.0%. Trichophyton verrucosum was more frequently isolated (54.2%) than Trichophyton mentagrophytes (45.8%). Age, breed, management practice, and season were significantly associated with the occurrence of the disease (p<0.05).Conclusion:Dermatophytosis among cattle may be of public health significance in Plateau State, Nigeria. This is the first report on the prevalence and distribution of dermatophytosis lesions on cattle from Plateau State, Nigeria.
Dermatophilosis is a contagious zoonotic skin disease affecting a variety of domestic and wild animals with grave economic consequences. The status of bovine dermatophilosis and associated risk factors in Sabon-Gari, Kaduna State and Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria are yet to be fully determined. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bovine dermatophilosis in Sabon-Gari and Jos. One thousand, nine hundred and twenty skin scab samples consisting of 1,530 from Sabon-Gari and 390 from Jos were obtained from cattle having cutaneous lesions including papules, exudative dermatitis with matting of the hair, cream colored, thickly crusted and scabby lesions suggestive of Dermatophilus infection. Smears were made from the underneath surface of each specimen on a clean glass slide, air dried, heat fixed and Gram stained. The stained smears were examined microscopically for Gram-positive filamentous organism having both longitudinal and transverse division, typical of Dermatophilus congolensis. Further identification was done by isolating the causative agent in 5% de-fibrinated sheep blood agar. Data were analyzed using tables, percentages and Chi square test. P-values less than or equal to 0.05 were considered significant. One hundred and forty-six (9.5 %) and 21 (5.4%) of the samples from Sabon-Gari and Jos respectively were positive for D. congolensis. The overall prevalence of bovine dermatophilosis in Sabon-Gari and Jos was 8.7% (167/1,920), respectively. Breed, age, management practice and season were found to be significant risk factors associated with bovine dermatophilosis. Methods for control of the disease in cattle as well as prevention of human exposure were highlighted.
Keywords: Cattle, Dermatophilosis, Jos, Nigeria, Sabon-Gari
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