Document Type : Original Article
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Abstract
Dermatophytes are a category of fungi that preferentially target keratin and can infect the skin, hair, and nails. They are ubiquitous globally but more prevalent in warm and wet regions. These pathogens are zoonotic and represent a considerable source of infection for humans. The present study is designed to document the feline dermatophytosis in cats in Basra province – Iraq. The current study included 100 cats, eighty cats clinically infected with dermatophytosis in different age, sex and breeds, in addition 20 cats clinically healthy consider as control group. The results of the clinical signs included circular lesion or alopecia (1-3 cm) small and round patches of hair loss 80 (100%), Broken hairs around lesion appear frayed like a a paintbrush 74 (59.2%), grayish- white scales (dandruff like) 72 (57.6 %), thickening of skin, especially on pressure points or chronic lesion 38 (30.4%) and erythema or mild redness 27 (21.6%). According to breed the results showed incidence of dermatophytosis in Shirazi Persian followed by Himalayan Persian, house cats and Scottish cats, while according to the sex dermatophytosis more incidence in male than female, According to age, the infected percent of dermatophytosis were more incidence in cats less than nine-month-old 52 (65%), In addition to cats infected with dermatophytosis, lesions commonly manifest in ears 12 (15%), face 11 (13.75%), abdomen 10 (12.5%), head 8 (10%), tail 7 (8.75%), The results of wood lamps examination indicated all the suspected infected cats (80 cats) were positive for dermatophytosis, microscopic examination indicated the ectothrix more incidence the endothrix.
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