SOME EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON RINGWORM IN CATTLE AT ASSIUT GOVERNORATE, EGYPT ABSTRACT

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1 SCVMJ, XIII (2) SOME EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON RINGWORM IN CATTLE AT ASSIUT GOVERNORATE, EGYPT Ahmed Abdel-Rady and Saber Kotb* Department of Animal Medicine, Department of Animal Hygiene*, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt ABSTRACT Ringworm is an infectious disease of animals caused by different species of dermatophytes. It is a major public and veterinary health problem reported in the different parts of the world including Egypt and causes great economic loss, through body weight loss, skin injuries, and long course of treatment. This study was carried out on 230 cattle infected with skin lesions from a total number of 1350 animals, in different ages, sex, breeds and in different seasons and localities at Assiut Governorate. These animals were subjected to clinical and laboratory examinations and the infected animals were subjected for treatment with different antifungal agents as (Mycostatin ointment, Trocid Lotion, Tincture iodine, Garlic Juice, Mange-cide ointment.). The obtained results indicated that animals housed in close proximity to each other for long periods in the fattening period in the presence of infected one lead to spreading spores of fungus between animals and so a greater infection rate was recorded in males compared with females. Also, the result reported a higher infection rate in winter than summer season. The percentage clinically diagnosed cattle with ringworm was 17% at Assiut Governorate with higher frequency of isolated Trichophyton verrucosum (98 %) from the examined animals infected with ringworm (98%). The most effective and cheap drug used for treatment of infected animals was Tincture iodine in concentration of 5 to 7% which used as paint or spray with 100 % recovery rate. Key words: Epidemiology, Ringworm, Cattle, Treatment.

2 328 Ahmed & Saber. INTRODUCTION Ringworm infection medically known as dermatophytosis caused by dermatophytes which are highly specialized group of fungi. They affect the superficial keratinized tissue (skin, hair and nails) of man and animals. It is a common superficial fungal infection found throughout the world (Kern, 1985). Although dermatophyte infections are known to be common in Egypt, their prevalence is unknown as this disease is not notifiable and many infections are treated with over-the-counter drugs. It has been reported that animals housed in close contact to each other for long periods and the presence of infected debris, grooming tools, contamination of feeders, ropes, halters and other equipments in buildings account for the higher incidence and the greater infection rate in winter season (Radostits et al. 1997). Cattle of all ages may be affected and the disease is more prevalent in calves and yearlings. Although it causes minimal discomfort to the animal, ringworm is an unsightly disease that may lessen the value of affected animals, prevent them from being exhibited at shows and can be transmitted to humans (Haab et al., 1994). Most of the lesions observed on the affected calves were alopecia and/or circumscribed grayishwhite, crusty, raised lesions. These lesions commonly affected the head, neck, dewlap, and chest area. Trichophyton species and Microsporum species were the most commonly isolated fungi from cows (Syverud, 2004). Reactions to a dermatophyte infection may range from mild to severe as a consequence of the host s reactions to the metabolic products of the fungus, the virulence of the infecting strain or species, the anatomic location of the infection, and local environmental factors (Weitzman and Summerbell, 1995). The aim of the present work was to study some epidemiological aspects of ringworm in cattle and to demonstrate the best, effective fungicidal drug which can be used for treatment of ringworm in cattle at Assiut Governorate. MATERIALS & METHODS Animals: A total of 1350 cattle in different locations at Assiut Governorate were subjected for clinical examination during the period from August 2006 to April Case history for each animal was reported as age which classified into less than 6 months and more than 6 months. Animals also were classified according to sex (male and female) and type of breed (Friesian and native breed). Clinical examination: The skin of all animals was examined clinically and the affected ani-

3 Friesian Native Male Female Cold Hot SCVMJ, XIII (2) mals were subjected to general health examination, as body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, appetite and morbidity rates were recorded. The shape, size, position, distribution and time of the appearance of skin lesions were also reported. Sampling: The surface of the affected area was first rubbed with a cotton swab impregnated with 70 % ethyl alcohol to remove surface adhering organisms. Skin scales were collected by scraping of the margin of the lesion using a sterile scalpel blade into sterile Petri dish. Hairs were collected by removing dull broken hairs from the margin of the lesion using sterile tweezers as described (Cheesbrough, 1992). Each sample collected was divided into two portions. One portion was used for direct microscopic examination. The second portion was cultured on Sabarouds dextrose agar supplied with Cycloheximide which was employed because saprophytic fungi and yeasts normally present as contaminants were inhibited by cycloheximide, incubated at 28 C for 2-6 weeks. Microscopic examination for positive fungi cultures was done using the Lactophenol cotton blue wet mount method (Halley and Standard, 1973). Drugs and Treatment: Infected animals were subjected for treatment with antifungal agents after dividing into five groups, each group was treated with one of the following agents (Mycostatin ointment, Trocid Lotion, Tincture iodine 5-7%, Garlic Juice, Mange-cide ointment), for 7 successive days. RESULTS Table (1): Frequency of distribution of ringworm infection of the examined animals. Number Less than 6 month Animal Age Breed Sex Season More than 6 month Total No. of examined animals No. of positive Positive % 18.7% 14.5% 28.0% 8.3% 28.3% 8.0% 28.0% 10.6% 17.04%

4 330 Ahmed & Saber. Table (2): Frequency of isolated fungi from the examined animals infected with ringworm. Isolated fungi % Trichophyton verrucosum Trichophyton mentagrophytes 98% 2% Fig. (1):- Cattle showing regular hairless areas at shoulder

5 SCVMJ, XIII (2) DISSCUSION Fig. (2):- Cattle showing circular hairless areas at head and around of eye Clinical signs: Among 1350 examined cattle, 230 (17.03 %) animals had clinical lesions of ringworm (Table 1). The prevalence of ringworm infection varied from place to place. Generally, affected animals had normal body temperature, pulse and respiration, other body systems were also normal. The skin of affected animal showed circular, circumscribed, grayish-white and crusty raised lesions (Figure 1). Focal area of alopecia was also observed. The lesions were most commonly found on the head, neck, around eyes and dewlap (Figure 2). This finding agreed with Radostits et al. (1997); Pal (1987) and Wabacha et al. (1998) who described the clinical signs of the ringworm on the affected calves as suffered from alopecia and/or circular circumscribed grayish-white, crusty, raised lesions, which were most commonly found on the head, neck, dewlap, and the chest area. Causes of ringworm in calves Fungi isolated from cases of ringworm in calves are shown in Table 2. Trichophyton species were the most frequent genus isolated representing 100 % of the total fungi identified in

6 332 Ahmed & Saber. this study. Among Trichophyton species, T. verrucosum was the most commonly identified (98% of the total fungi isolated). The fungi grow slowly on mycobiotic agar producing slightly folded, heaped glabrous gray white colony. On slide culture slides stained with lactophenol cotton blue, a characteristic septet hyphae with chlamydocondias arranged in chains with single microconidia were identified. Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the second frequent isolated fungi from calves with ringworm (2 % of the total isolated fungi). The colony formed on mycobiotic agar after 2-4 weeks of culture at 28 C appeared as a buff to tan thallus color and exhibited radial folds. On microscopic examination, the microconidia were pyriform in shape while the macroconidia were cigar-shaped with thin walls having a narrow attachment to the hyphae containing 3-5 cells. The present study revealed that % of examined animals in Assiut Governorate were infected by species of superficial dermatophytes. This finding less than that reported by Al Ani et al. (2002) who found the prevalence of ringworm in infected calves 30.6% and more than that recorded by Haab et al. (1994) who found the prevalence of ringworm in infected calves 7.7 %. Moreover, higher prevalence of infection was found amongst calves under the age of 6month (18.7%) in comparison with age more than 6 month (14.5%). This result showed that infection decreased with increase animal age. This result agreed with that stated by Acha and Szyfres (2003) who reported that dermatophytosis is more common when animals are immunosuppressed, have poor nutrition or are kept in high density populations and infections can be more persistent or widespread in young or sick animals. Whether an animal becomes infected, after contact with a dermatophyte, may depend on the animal s age, the condition of its exposed skin, and grooming behavior. Young animals are more likely to have symptomatic infections (Weirzman and summerbell, 1995). Among livestock, ringworm infection was common in cold season (28.0%) in comparison to hot season (10.6%) and this result may be attributed to that the animals were stabled for long periods of time during cold season as well as high humidity during winter season, which facilitate the growth of spores and increases the susceptibility of animals to infection (Nooruddin and Singh, 1987). Sex distribution of ringworm infection among animals showed that more males (28.3%) than female (8.0%) were infected. This result may be attributed to animals housed in close proximity to each other for long periods in the fattening period and the presence of infected one leads to spreading

7 SCVMJ, XIII (2) spores of fungus between animals so leads to greater infection rate in males than females. Concerning to animal breed, the prevalence of ringworm infection was higher in foreign breed (Friesian breed; 28.0%) in comparison with native breed (8.3%) and this result may be attributed to locally born animal has more resistant to infection than imported animal species (Marai et al. 1999). Treatment Animals often have self-limiting infections that resolve within a few months Ajello & Padhye (1974) and Rippon (1974), but treatment can speed recovery, decrease the spread of lesions on the animal, and decrease the risk of transmission. Effective cure of the affected calves after the topical application of the ointment was observed. Our results showed that rapid and effective cure of affected calves occurred with two to three topical applications of tincture iodine 5-7% with 100% of complete recovery and this result was higher than that recorded by Pandey (1979). Lesions started to subside gradually and after 2 weeks the hair started to grow again. Within one month there was a complete recovery. The same recorded result was found after the application of Garlic Juice and Trocid lotion, but the odour of Garlic was observed in milk in lactating dairy cattle. While topical application of Mycostatin ointment and Mange-cide showed only 80% and 50% recovery cases, respectively. These results are in agreement with Jungerman and Schwartzman (1972) who showed that sulfur in concentrations of one to ten percent is fungicidal and in contrast to Wabacha et al. (1998) who reported that calves did not respond to topical treatment with various antifungal drugs within the anticipated period of 9 weeks. In conclusion, the present work has revealed the existence of ringworm among livestock at risk. Therefore, routine regular inspection of animal especially young calves should be recommended. To prevent transmission of ringworm among animals, infected animals should be isolated until the infection has resolved. Animals that have been in contact with the infected should also be checked for asymptomatic infections. The premises should be cleaned and disinfected to help prevent infections in other animals or humans. Rodent control can decrease exposure to T. mentagrophytes. Access to infected soil should be prevented, particularly with geophilic species. Disinfection of contaminated stables, isolation of infected animals and good hygiene. Finally, the environment and fomites should be cleaned to remove hair and skin flakes, and disinfected.

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9 SCVMJ, XIII (2) ine. 8 th Ed, Bailliere Tindall, London, pp Rippon, J.W. (1974): Medical Mycology. Philadelphia, Saunders. Syverud, T. (2004): Recent notes from the Dairy-L discussion group. Wabacha, J. K.; Gitau, K. J.; Bebora, L. C.; Bwanga, C. O.; Wamuri, Z. M. and Mbithi, P. M. (1998): Occurrence of dermatomphytosis (ringworm) due to Trichophyton verrucosum in dairy calves and its spread to Animal attendants. J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc. 69: Weitzman, I. and Summerbell, R.C. (1995): The Dermatophytes. Clin. Microbiol. Reviews, Vol. 8, No. 2, p الملخص العربى بعض الدراسات الوبائيه عن القراع فى االبقار بمحافظة اسيوط- مصر احمد عبدالراضى و صابر قطب االصابة بمرض القراع فى الحيوانات يسبب بواسطة عديد من الفطرياات. وهااا المارض يب اب دور هام فى صحة كال من االنسان والحيوان عبى السواء فى مختبف انحاء ال الم وفى مصار. واالصاابة بهااا المارض ياىدخ الاى خساار ايتصاادية كبيار حيان اناا ياىدخ الاى انخفااض الاو ن وساقوط ال ا ر وجروح فى الجبد وطول فتر ال اال الااخ يساتهريا المارض. وهاا الدراساة تناولات عادد 032 حياوان مصاب من اجمالى عدد 0332 حيوان تم فحصهم جمي ا اكبينيكا واجريت ها الدراساة عباى االبقاار فاى مراحل عمرية واجناس وسالالت وفصول مناخيا مختبفة لدراسة ب ض ال وامال التاى تاىعر عباى انت اار المرض. أعبتت النتائج التى تام الحصاول عبيهاا أن م ادل انت اارالمرض يكاون أكبار فاى الحيواناات التاى تكون مالمسة لب ضها الب ض ويكون الك فى حيوانات التسمين وايضا ينت ر المارض فاى االمااكن سايئة التهوية وجميع االعمار تكون م رضة لالصابة ولكان الحيواناات التاى تكاون فاى مرحباة عمرياة صاهير تكون اكعرعرضة لبمرض. وسجبت الدراسة ان نسبةاأل صاابا فاى االبقاار بمحافااة اسايوط ها %01 والك ب د اجراء الفحص االكبينيكى والم مبى كما وجد ان اعبى نسبة اصابة فى الحيوانات ا لت كانت اعمارها ايل من 6 هور بينما ساجبت اعباى نسابة اصاابا خاالل موسام ال اتاء. وتناولات الدراساة ايضاا عال الحااالت المصاابة باساتخدام مضاادات الفطرياات المتاوفر فاى االساوا. وعناد م الجاة الحيواناات المصاابة باالدوياة المضااد لبفطرياات وجاد ان اياوخ وارخاص ومادخ كفااء %022 هاى صابهة الياود بتركي 3 الى %1 وتستخدم فى صور مسا او رش ويبى صبهة اليود فى التاعير هو عصار العوم.