Charli Dong1, John Angus1, Fabia Scarampella2, Moni Neradilek3. 1. Animal Dermatology Clinic, 150 N. San Gabriel Blvd. #400, Pasadena, CA, 91107, USA. 2. Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, Via G, Sismondi 62, 20133, Milan, Italy. 3. The Mountain-Whisper-Light Statistics, 1827 23rd Ave. East, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A rapid, accurate screening test for dermatophytosis in cats is desirable in clinical and shelter medicine. In human dermatology, dermoscopy is used to identify dermatophyte-infected hairs by their characteristic comma hair appearance. Similar "comma-like" hairs have been observed in infected cats. HYPOTHESIS/ OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of naturally occurring dermatophytosis compared to fungal culture. ANIMALS: A total of 67 cats were enrolled. METHODS: This was a descriptive field study. All cats were evaluated by dermoscopy and fungal culture. Dermoscopy was performed with a hand held nonpolarized light dermoscope. RESULTS: Three dermatophyte pathogens were isolated via fungal cultures in 36 cats: Microsporum canis (n = 31), Microsporum gypseum (n = 3) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (n = 2). Dermoscopy was positive in 21 of 36 cats with culture-confirmed dermatophytosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dermoscopy may be a useful point-of care-test to identify infected hairs to sample for dermatophyte cultures, but a definitive diagnosis for dermatophytosis should be based on clinical signs and the results of multiple diagnostic tests.
BACKGROUND: A rapid, accurate screening test for dermatophytosis in cats is desirable in clinical and shelter medicine. In human dermatology, dermoscopy is used to identify dermatophyte-infected hairs by their characteristic comma hair appearance. Similar "comma-like" hairs have been observed in infected cats. HYPOTHESIS/ OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of naturally occurring dermatophytosis compared to fungal culture. ANIMALS: A total of 67 cats were enrolled. METHODS: This was a descriptive field study. All cats were evaluated by dermoscopy and fungal culture. Dermoscopy was performed with a hand held nonpolarized light dermoscope. RESULTS: Three dermatophyte pathogens were isolated via fungal cultures in 36 cats: Microsporum canis (n = 31), Microsporum gypseum (n = 3) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (n = 2). Dermoscopy was positive in 21 of 36 cats with culture-confirmed dermatophytosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dermoscopy may be a useful point-of care-test to identify infected hairs to sample for dermatophyte cultures, but a definitive diagnosis for dermatophytosis should be based on clinical signs and the results of multiple diagnostic tests.