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Summary
Ringworm affects livestock and humans in Egypt, with Trichophyton verrucosum identified as the primary cause in cattle, buffalo, and sheep. T. mentagrophytes was found in soil near affected animals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Mycology
- Dermatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Ringworm is a zoonotic fungal infection impacting livestock and humans.
- Understanding the etiological agents and their prevalence is crucial for disease control.
- Egypt faces challenges in managing dermatophytosis in its animal populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical and mycological aspects of ringworm in animals and humans in Egypt.
- To identify the predominant dermatophyte species causing ringworm in cattle, buffalo, and sheep.
- To explore potential environmental sources of dermatophyte infections.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination of 1920 animals and 60 humans presenting with suspected ringworm.
- Mycological analysis, including isolation and identification of dermatophyte species.
- Sampling of soil in areas with clinical cases to identify potential environmental reservoirs.
Main Results:
- Trichophyton verrucosum was the most frequently isolated dermatophyte across all examined animal species.
- Clinical signs of ringworm were observed in cattle, buffalo, and sheep.
- Trichophyton mentagrophytes was incidentally isolated from soil in proximity to clinical cases.
Conclusions:
- Trichophyton verrucosum is the main dermatophyte responsible for ringworm in Egyptian livestock.
- The study highlights the importance of veterinary surveillance for zoonotic diseases.
- Environmental fungal contamination, though limited in this study, warrants consideration in disease prevention strategies.