Systematic control of dermatophytosis profunda of cattle in the former GDR

Human occupational diseases orginated from Trichophyton verrucosum infection of cattle belonged to the most frequent zooanthroponoses since 1960. Morbidity peaks of this human dermatophytosis could be observed in 1970 and 1971 with about 740 cases of occupational diseases per year. The ecological properties of Tr. verrucosum (compulsory monoxenic parasite), the pathogenetic development of bovine dermatophytosis (rising immunity with subsequent elimination of the agent), systematic medical therapy and prophylaxis with griseofulvin and other drugs as well as the application of Tr. verrucosum live vaccines were the preconditions for a successful control of this zooanthroponosis. Since then the number of human and animal diseases could be essentially reduced.