Serum Macro- and Trace-Element Alterations and Redox Imbalance in Cattle with Naturally Occurring Dermatophytosis

This study determined the etiological distribution of naturally occurring bovine dermatophytosis and evaluated associated serum macro- and trace-element and redox alterations. Seventy-five calves and young cattle aged 2-12 months, of both sexes and mixed local, Simmental, Brown Swiss/Montofon, and crossbred types, were included: 50 clinically and mycologically confirmed dermatophytosis cases and 25 clinically healthy controls. Skin scrapings and hair samples from affected cattle were examined by direct microscopy and culture. Single jugular blood samples were collected from all animals during the same seasonal period (February-May 2026), and serum mineral and redox markers were analyzed. Copper, zinc, cobalt, selenium, molybdenum, manganese, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, and chromium concentrations, catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Data were analyzed using a general linear model including group and sex as fixed effects and age in months as a covariate. Model-adjusted results were expressed as least-squares means ± standard error (LSM ± SE). Trichophyton verrucosum and T. mentagrophytes were identified in 90% and 10% of affected cattle, respectively. Affected cattle had lower Cu, Zn, Se, Na, Fe (p < 0.01), Mg (p = 0.009), Ca (p < 0.001), CAT, and GSH (p < 0.001), but higher Co, Cr (p < 0.01) and MDA (p < 0.001). These findings suggest field associations between bovine dermatophytosis, mineral imbalance, and redox disturbance.