Trichophyton verrucosum infection in livestock in the Chitral district of Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Trichophyton verrucosum belongs to the dermatophyte fungi, closely related organisms that cause skin infections in animals and humans. T. verrucosum infection has been reported in livestock and people in different countries from all continents. Human cases have been reported in different areas of Pakistan, but there is little information about the animal source of the fungus. Methodology: Dermatological specimens collected in the Chitral district of Pakistan for a study on mange in livestock were retrospectively analyzed for the presence of T. verrucosum. In total, 5,873 animals (1,087 cows, 2,033 goats, and 2,753 sheep) were screened for evidence of dermatological lesions during two surveys performed in the summer and winter seasons. Skin scrapings collected from animals with lesions were analyzed by direct microscopic examination after digestion in sodium hydroxide and a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting pathogenic Trichophyton species. Results: At microscopy, samples from 18 cows (1.6%), 3 sheep (0.1%), and 4 goats (0.2%) were positive for fungal elements consistent with T. verrucosum. PCR confirmed the microscopy results. The prevalence was lower than that reported in other countries in intensive breeding farms. Results agree with the literature regarding factors affecting T. verrucosum diffusion, i.e., infection was more prevalent in cattle, especially in younger animals during the winter season. Conclusions: This study reports, for the first time, the presence of T. verrucosum in livestock in Pakistan. A better knowledge of the animal role in the spread of this fungus may allow the adoption of more efficient control measures and prophylaxis.

In search of the source of dermatophytosis: Epidemiological analysis of Trichophyton verrucosum infection in llamas and the breeder (case report)

“…Trichophyton verrucosum infection is considered to be a cosmopolitan disease, since it has been reported in livestock and humans in a number of countries all over the world (Agnetti et al, ; Arabatzis et al, ; Cabanes, Abarca, & Bragulat, ; Dalis, Kazeem, Kwaga, & Kwanashie, ; Gnat, Łagowski, Nowakiewicz, Trościańczyk, & Zięba, ; Salem, Al‐Bulushi, Eljalii, Fadlelmula, & Housawi, ; Silver, Vinh, & Embil, ). This zoophilic dermatophyte is the most frequent aetiologic agent of superficial mycoses in cattle worldwide (Neji et al, ); however, there is still no indication of one animal species reservoir in literature (Hameed et al, ). During the last few years, the number of cases of T. verrucosum isolation from humans suffering from mycoses has been constantly increasing, which is probably correlated with the presence of an increasing number of cattle‐rearing farms (Havlickova, Czaika, & Friedrich, ; Neji et al, ).…”

“…During the last few years, the number of cases of T. verrucosum isolation from humans suffering from mycoses has been constantly increasing, which is probably correlated with the presence of an increasing number of cattle-rearing farms (Havlickova, Czaika, & Friedrich, 2008;Neji et al, 2011). Farmers and their families as well as veterinarians and technicians involved in handling animals are at a higher risk of infection (Gnat, Łagowski, Nowakiewicz, Trościańczyk, et al, 2018;Hameed et al, 2017). Human patients usually develop aggressive inflammatory skin lesions, which may be accompanied by constitutional symptoms such fever or lymphadenopathy (Silver et al, 2008).…”

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Bovine Trichophyton verrucosum Strains Based on Sequence Analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer Region (ITS1) and Microsatellite Loci

“…Trichophyton verrucosum is the most frequently isolated fungal pathogen of cattle which has been reported to be the natural reservoirs of these agents (Khosravi and Mahmoudi 2003;Papini et al, 2009;Yildirim et al, 2010;Hameed et al, 2017). In a study conducted in Italy, T. verrucosum was isolated from 87.7% of 294 cattle raised in 20 different farms (Papini et al, 2009).…”

Deep facial mycosis due toTrichophyton verrucosum—molecular genetic identification of the dermatophyte in paraffin‐embedded tissue—case report and review of the literature

“…Recently, real‐time PCR was used to detect T . verrucosum infections in livestock in the Chitral district of Pakistan . A relatively low incidence of T .…”

“…Recently, real-time PCR was used to detect T. verrucosum infections in livestock in the Chitral district of Pakistan. 19 de Hoog, comb. nov. 22 ) for the first time in naturally infected animals.…”