Introduction

PATHOGENESIS
  • Dermatophytosis is an infection produced by molds capable of parasitizing only keratinized epidermal structures: superficial skin, hair, feathers, horn, hooves, claws and nails.
  • Those that have a sexual reproductive phase belong to the Ascomycetes. Dermatophyte infections are called ringworm (tinea).
  • The dermatophytes, more than any other group of fungi, have developed a close host-parasite relationship with animals.
  • Many dermatophytes have evolved into obligate parasites.
  • Dermatophyte infections are contagious and a zoonotic source of infections for humans.
  • Infections from animal to human are referred to as zoophilic, while those from soil to animal or human are referred to as geophilic.
  • The most common animal dermatophytes are
    • Zoophilic pathogens
      Pathogens
      Animals affected
      Trichophyton mentagrophytes
      All domestic animals
      Trichophyton verrucosum
      Cattle and sheep
      Trichophyton gallinae
      Fowl
      Trichophyton equinum
      Horses
      Microsporum canis
      predominately dogs and cats primates and horses also
      Microsporum nanum
      Swine and humans
    • Geophilic Pathogen: Microsporum gypseum – mainly affects dogs, cats, horses, and humans.
  • Rare causes of animal dermatophytes are the anthropophilic, globally prevalent Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton schoenleinii, Microsporum cookei, Microsporum distortum, Trichophyton megnini.
Last modified: Monday, 4 June 2012, 5:55 AM