Dermatophytosis in bovine calves: A comparative case report

Introduction

Dermatophytosis is a highly contagious superficial fungal infection of keratinized tissue. Dermatophytes are mainly classified into asexual or imperfect genera (Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton). Certain genera have zoonotic potential and poses great public health concern. Fungi that are capable of reproducing sexually are classified into teleomorphic genera (arthoderma). In cattle, among all the fungal isolates, Trichophyton verrucosum is frequently isolated followed by trichophyton mentagrophytes (Agnetti et al, 2014, Dalis et al., 2019). Prevalence of Trichophyton verrucosum is same as that of intensive and semi-intensive rearing system (Papini et al.,2009). Winter season is more favourable for dermatophytes infection. Calves are more prone to dermatophytes infection than the adult probably due to non-acidic environment of the skin which favours fungal growth (Arora et al.,1979). Environmental stress, prolonged wetting of the skin, rearing pattern, dietary factors act as a predisposing factor for dermatophytosis (Moretti et al., 1998). No sex predilection was reported. Lesions appear as focal alopecic patches with scaly, raised, grey to white demarcating areas. In calves, lesions mainly appears in the forehead region whereas in adult cattle, lesions are either generalized or in the trunk region (Dalis et al., 2019) [2, 5, 10, 4, 7] .

Case history

Two 4 months-old bovine calves (Gir calf and Lakhimi calf) were presented with compliants of focal alopecic patches with raised grey to white crust in and around the forehead and in the periocular areas (fig. 1, fig. 2). Appetite was normal, stool and urine were also normal in appearance. Deworming was regular (2 weeks before appearance of clinical signs). Calves were recently introduced into the same shed and maintain under similar managemental condition.

Clinical Examination and Investigation

Physical examination revealed well demarcated circular alopecic patches with scaly raised grey to white crust over the forehead, periocular areas and in the ears in both the calves. Ocular mucous membranes were normal (pink) in appearance, all physiological parameters including respiratory rate, heart rate and rectal temperature were within the normal range. Stool and urine were normal in colour and consistency. Haemato-biochemical examination of both the calves revealed normal findings (Table .1 andTable. 2), which is consistent with the superficial nature of dermatophytes infection. Skin scrapping material and hair plugs collected from the peripheral active margins of the lesions following standard aseptic procedure. The affected areas were first gently cleaned with 70% ethanol to remove the surface contaminants. Using a sterile scalpel blade, deep skin scraping were taken until there was slight oozing of blood along with that broken hairs and scaly crust were collected using a sterile forceps. The collected samples put into a sterile dry petri dish and were processed for fungal cultural examination. The samples were inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and incubated at room temperature for upto 2 weeeks. The fungal colonies obtained were examined microscopically by staining with lactophenol cotton blue which revealed septate hypae and macroconidia of Trichophyton spp. (fig. 3)

Diagnosis

Based on integration of clinical (discrete focal alopecic patches with scaly raised grey to white crust) and fungal culture examination (septate hyphae with numerous macroconidia), both cases were diagnosed as Trichophyton spp associated dermatophytosis.

Treatment and discussion

Calves were treated with tee-burb capsule twice daily orally for 10 days and Strepto-penecillin injection (Dicrysticin-S-2.5 g) for 5 days intramuscularly along with other supportive medications like vitamin A, D3 and E (Vitacept injection) intramuscularly for 5 days. Owner was advised to regularly dressed the affected lesions with povidone iodine solution (Betadine solution). The Lakhimi calf responded well to the therapeutics and showed a marked improvement of the affected lesions. But the Gir calf did not show a comparable clinical response during the same treatment. The Gir calf was treated additionally with fluconazole tablet (Zocon -200 mg, @ 5 mg/kg Bwt, PO) once daily orally for 14 days and showed a significant improvement (Fig. 4). This might be due to deeper follicular involvement of the mycotic infection in the Gir calf. Tee-burb capsule is a polyherbal formulation known for immunomodulatory, antifungal and skin healing properties. In dermatophytosis, immunity plays a crucial role and the use of herbal adjuncts may help in reducing skin lesions (Pandey and Madhuri,2010) [11] . The favourable outcome in case of lakhimi calf suggestive of that mild to moderate superficial fungal infection may respond well to oral polyherbal formulation combined with topical anstiseptices. Strepto-penecillin (Dicrysticin S) was administrated to prevent secondary bacterial invasion as the fungal infection leads to disruption of skin barrier (Scott et al., 2001). Fluconazole was administrated orally to the Gir calf due to unfavourable response to initial therapy. Fluconazole inhibits the ergosterol synthesis which is an essential component of fungal cell wall, thus inhibiting fungal growth and multiplication (Gupta and Cooper,2008). It has good oral bioavailability and effective in treating deeper or persistent dermatophytic infections (Moriello,2014). Although, specific breed susceptibility to dermatophytosis in Gir and lakhimi cattle has not been studied extensively but crossbred cattle have a significant higher prevalence of dermatophytosis compared to local indigenous cattle breed. Local breeds of cattle have a frequent exposure to the local dermatophyte strains and are better adapted and might develop a stronger innate immunity (Dalis et al., 2019). Also, indigenous cattle breed has been reported to exhibit a difference in innate and adaptive immune response trait compared to crossbred cattle (Verma et al.,2017). Calves are more susceptible due to incomplete development of cell mediated immunity (Abd Elmegeed et al. 2020), moisture and high humid condition and poor hygienic conditions in the farm predisposed to infection (Al khikani et al., 2000). Winter season, lesser sunlight exposure, contaminated fomites act as major factors for mycotic infection (Singh et al., 2025, Sisti et al., 2014). Trichophyton verucosum is a major zoophilic dermatophyte with significant zoonotic potential. Animal handlers, farm workers and veterinarians are at increased risk of infection. Strict hygienic and protective measures are to be taken to prevent the occupational exposure (Shihab et al., 2025, Agnetti et al., 2014, Wabacha et al.,1998). Dermatophytosis in cattle is self limiting in nature typically resolve in 1-3 months of age (Radostits et al., 2007, Peek et al., 2017, Moriello, 2025) but proper therapeutic intervention reduces the exposure and duration of infections and economic losses [11, 15, 6, 8, 5, 18, 1, 16, 17, 14, 2, 19, 13, 9] .

Statements and Declarations

• Consent to Publish: The authors took necessary consent from the owner of the animal for publication of the clinical details, images included in this manuscript

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