Spontaneous dermatophilosis in twin white-tailed deer fawns

Twin white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns captured in Morris County, New Jersey, displayed papular, darkly pigmented scabs principally on the skin overlying the nasal bones, dentary, commissure of the lips and ears. Histopathological and bacterial examinations revealed Dermatophilus congolensis. The epidermitis caused by this bacterium apparently had developed within the first 12 to 14 days after birth and had begun to regress by one month of age. The location of the lesions suggested transmission during nursing from an infected doe. This is believed to be the first confirmed report of this zoonotic disease in white-tailed deer, with isolation of the etiologic agent, outside the State of New York. Epizootiological considerations are discussed.