S I S

O
H YT
O P
AT
R M
D E
SYNONYMS
DERMATOPHYTOSIS
RINGWORM
TINEA INFECTIONS (Human)
DEFINITION
Dermatophytosis is a SUPERFICIAL
FUNGAL INFECTION of the CORNIFIED
EPIDERMIS (hair, nail, feathers)
caused by a group of fungi known as
DERMATOPHYTES.
Etiology
Dermatophytes also known as FUNGI
IMPERFECTI.
Divided into 3 genera
◦ TRICHOPHYTON –Zoophilic
◦ MICROSPORUM-Geophilic
◦ EPIDERMOPHYTON-Anthrapophilic
Animal Common Dermatophyte sps

cattle T.verrucosum, T.mentagrophytes,

T.rubrum,

Buffalo, sheep, goat T.verrucosum,

T.mentagrophytes

Horse T.equinum,
M.gypseum, T.verrucosum,
T.mentagrophytes

Pig M.nanum, T.verrucosum,

T.mentagrophytes

Dog M.canis, M.gypsum,

T.mentagrophytes

Cat M.canis, M.gypsum, T.mentagrophytes

M.distortum
Typical ringworm lesions are red
circles with raised scaly borders
 Dog -Dermatophytosis
Lesions are commonly localized
on tail,
paws,
face,
 pinna &
ventral abdomen.
Circular or patchy alopecia .
 increased formation of scales.
Follicular papules & pustules.
Reddening of skin.
Hyper pigmentation and pruritis.
 Lesions in dog
Lesions appear as small pink macules spreading in
peripheral direction.
 Advanced lesions are circumscribed , discrete or
confluent and covered with grayish scales which are
attached to the skin.
Secondary bacteria or mite may invade the lesion.
 Mixed infection of T.mentagrophytes & Demodex
canis have been found.
 Dermatophytosis -Diagnosis
Based on history & clinical signs.
Clinical materials –
Deep skin scrapings from edge of lesion,
Plucked hair,
Mackenzie brush method
Tape impression smear.
Microscopic examination
materials are soaked in few drops of 10% KOH or
lactophenol blue on a slide & examined under
microscope.
observe for arrangement of arthospores, mycelial pattern
& especially macroconidia.
WOOD LAMP TEST
Certain strains of M.canis, M.audounii,
T.verrucosum produce vivid apple green
flourescence when examined under UV
lamp(366nm) due to the presence of
Tryptophan aminoacid metabolite (i.e.
Pteridine)
Wood’s Lamp
DTM (Dermatophyte test media)
Interpretetion: Arrangement of arthospores on hair shaft is typically ectothrix.

species Morphological features of

Macroconidia

M.Canis Spindle shaped, rough, thick walled

upto 15 septa.

M.Gypseum Boat shaped, rough thin walled upto 6

septa.

M.nanum Pear shaped, rough, thin walled ,upto 1

septa.

T.Mentagrophytes Cigar shaped, smooth, thin walled,

Upto 1 septa.

T.Verrucosum Chlamydospores in chain.

Microsporum canis showing typical spindle - shaped,
verrucuse, thick - walled macroconidia with 5 - 15 cells
Trichophyton species showing relatively broad hyphae, irregular and much
branched with numerous septa.
Microscopic morphology of
T. verrucosum
 Special fungal stains

GOMORIS METHANAMINE SILVER technique[GMS]

 In GMS procedure- brown black staining of fungal cell
walls.
PAS:
In PAS- pinkish red, colour of fungal elements.

Histological sections of tissues can be stained by

above stains.
 Isolation & identification
Media – EMMON`S SABOURAUD DEXTROSE AGAR
(pH-6.9) with addition of
2-4% yeast extract,
0.05g/lit chloramphenicol &
 0.4g/lit Cycloheximide.
Incubation at 25-27°C for upto 5wks.
Enrichment of media with vitamins for growth of some
fungi.
Eg:T.equinum requires NICOTINIC ACID.
 T.verrucosum requires THIAMINE & INOSITAL.
 species colony characteristic
M.Canis Obverse- white to buff with bright orange
periphery
Interpretation Reverse- yellowish-orange or yellowish
brown

M.Gypseum Obverse- buff to cinnamon with white

border & powdery.
Reverse – buff to reddish brown
(mouse like odour of colonies)

M.Nanum Obverse –cream to tan & powdery

Reverse - reddish brown
T.Equinum Obverse-initially white & fluffy,later buff
& folded
Reverse- yellow to dark reddish brown

T.Mentagrophytes Obverse- cream tan to buff & powdery

Reverse- buff tan to dark browm
T.Verrucosum Obverse- white,heaped & velvetty
Reverse- white or pale buff
Colony morphology of a Trichophyton species
Culture of Trichophyton verrucosum on mycobiotic agar
showing the typical GLABROUS, HEAPED and FOLDED
WHITE colored colony with no reverse pigment.
Colony morphology of Microsprum canis on mycobiotic agar
showing a spreading whitish, cottony surface growth with a golden -
yellow reverse pigment.
 Treatment
Topical antifungal agents
Organic acids – salicylic acid 2-10%, benzoic acid 2-4%
Whitfield ointment- salicylic acid 3%, benzoic acid 6%
Haloproquin -1%cream for 2-4 wks
Clotrimazole -1% cream or sol.
Miconazole – 2% cream or sol.
5% lime sulphur
 Systemic antifungal agents
Ketoconazole- used in dogs & cats,
dose-10mg/kg body wt orally
Nystatin – antibiotic, dose – 10,000 IU/lb body
wt in dogs.
NaI – used as 10% sol. Through i/v
 Prevention & control
Animals with suspicious lesions should be isolated.
Clipping of hair coat if lesions are extensive . Clippings
should be disposed of carefully as it may contain spores
The animal handler should wash their hands properly
before handling the non- infected ones.
The contaminated areas, utensils, feeding trough should
be properly cleaned & disinfected with 5% phenol or 2%
formaldehyde or 1% caustic soda
Contaminated bedding should be burnt & grooming
equipment should be disinfected with 0.5% sodium
hypochlorite
 Zoonotic importance
Some of the Dermatophytes like
 T.mentagrophytes,
 T.rubrum,
 M.canis,
 M.nanum,
 M.audounii are of zoonotic significant.
Mode of transmission
Direct contact with infected animals
Indirect transmission via contaminated items
FLUCONAZOLE
Ketoconazole
 Topical ointments

CLOTRIMAZOLE MICONAZOLE