A. Moretti et al., EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF DERMATOPHYTE INFECTIONS IN HORSES AND CATTLE, Journal of veterinary medicine. Series B, 45(4), 1998, pp. 205-208
Ringworm infections in the principal domestic animals are a major publ
ic and veterinary health problem. The aetiology, epidemiology and symp
tomatology of these mycoses are quite heterogeneous and complex. In th
is context, the AA carried out an epidemiological study to investigate
the prevalence of dermatophytes in two different animal species, hors
es (n = 200) belonging to 10 private stables and cattle (n = 1900) bel
onging to farms with different breeding purposes and management. With
regard to horses the results showed a positive level of 9% and Trichop
hyton 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 obje
ctives: 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 is
olated were T. verrucosum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes). The result
s are discussed both in clinical and in hygiene and management terms.