Dermatophytosis
Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)
⁵ A clinical condition caused by fungal infection of the skin in humans¹; but all domestic animals are susceptible.³ Dermatophytosis can be found in dogs (most often puppies), cats, cattle, sheep (common in show lambs), goats, horses, swine, rodents, rabbits (most often in young , newly weaned animals), and birds.⁴ The condition is caused by fungi of several different species and not by parasitic worms. In pets, the fungus responsible for the disease survives in skin and on the outer surface of hairs.¹ They grow best in warm and humid environments and are, therefore, more common in tropical and subtropical regions.⁴
Transmission:
The fungus takes advantage of skin belonging to those with reduced immune capacity; keep in mind that skin must be abraded to become infected.² A carrier of ringworm is one that is infected but not showing lesions or one that is simply carrying the fungus on its fur in the same way an inanimate object might have fungal spores on its surface. Both types of "carriers" must be identified as they are both capable of spreading the infection.² Most dermatophytes are readily transmitted to other susceptible host by contact and contamination of the environment.⁴ Fluorescence can appear on the fur within 7 days of exposure and clinical signs within 2 to 4 weeks.⁴ In humans, the incubation period is 1 to 2 weeks.⁴ Under most circumstances, dermatophytes grow only in keratinized tissue, and advancing infection stops on reaching living cells or inflamed tissue.³ Transmission between host usually occurs by direct contact with a symptomatic or asymptomatic host, or direct or airborne contact with its hairs or skin scales.
Signs & Symptoms (Animals):
In animals, ringworm frequently looks like a dry, grey, scaly patch but can also mimic any other skin lesion and have any appearance.² Ringworm in pets may often be asymptomatic, resulting in a carrier condition which either infects other pets, or shows
⁵ A clinical condition caused by fungal infection of the skin in humans¹; but all domestic animals are susceptible.³ Dermatophytosis can be found in dogs (most often puppies), cats, cattle, sheep (common in show lambs), goats, horses, swine, rodents, rabbits (most often in young , newly weaned animals), and birds.⁴ The condition is caused by fungi of several different species and not by parasitic worms. In pets, the fungus responsible for the disease survives in skin and on the outer surface of hairs.¹ They grow best in warm and humid environments and are, therefore, more common in tropical and subtropical regions.⁴
Transmission:
The fungus takes advantage of skin belonging to those with reduced immune capacity; keep in mind that skin must be abraded to become infected.² A carrier of ringworm is one that is infected but not showing lesions or one that is simply carrying the fungus on its fur in the same way an inanimate object might have fungal spores on its surface. Both types of "carriers" must be identified as they are both capable of spreading the infection.² Most dermatophytes are readily transmitted to other susceptible host by contact and contamination of the environment.⁴ Fluorescence can appear on the fur within 7 days of exposure and clinical signs within 2 to 4 weeks.⁴ In humans, the incubation period is 1 to 2 weeks.⁴ Under most circumstances, dermatophytes grow only in keratinized tissue, and advancing infection stops on reaching living cells or inflamed tissue.³ Transmission between host usually occurs by direct contact with a symptomatic or asymptomatic host, or direct or airborne contact with its hairs or skin scales.
Signs & Symptoms (Animals):
In animals, ringworm frequently looks like a dry, grey, scaly patch but can also mimic any other skin lesion and have any appearance.² Ringworm in pets may often be asymptomatic, resulting in a carrier condition which either infects other pets, or shows
References: 1. Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatophytosis 2. Mar Vista Vet – http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ringworm.html 3. The Merck Veterinary Manual – http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/71300.htm 4. The Center for Food Security & Public Health, Iowa State University –http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/dermatophytosis.pdf 5. http://www.dermatophytes.reviberoammicol.com/p104108.pdf