Epidemiological aspects of dermatophyte infections in horses and cattle

Ringworm infections in the principal domestic animals are a major public and veterinary health problem. The aetiology, epidemiology and symptomatology of these mycoses are quite heterogeneous and complex. In this context, the AA carried out an epidemiological study to investigate the prevalence of dermatophytes in two different animal species, horses (n = 200) belonging to 10 private stables and cattle (n = 1900) belonging to farms with different breeding purposes and management. With regard to horses the results showed a positive level of 9% and Trichophyton equinum was the major organism isolated. The results concerning the cattle showed positive values that varied both in relation to the type of animals and their management as well as to the productive objectives: 19% in intensive beef breeding, 4.5% in intensive dairy farms (the aetiologic agent isolated in both types of farms was Trichophyton verrucosum) and 8% in traditional-type farms (the species of fungi isolated were T. verrucosum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes). The results are discussed both in clinical and in hygiene and management terms.