Fungal Diseases 4-H Veterinary Science Extension Veterinary Medicine Texas AgriLife Extension Service College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M System

Objectives Describe dermatophytosis Describe dermatophilosis Describe mycoses List the systemic mycotic diseases

Remember Five infectious diseases Bacterial Viral Fungal Parasitic Rickettsial

Infectious disease An illness due to a specific infectious agent or its toxic products that arises through transmission of that agent or its products from an infected person, animal or reservoir to a susceptible host, either directly or indirectly

Overview Fungi Microorganisms that can infect various tissues of animals Called Mycoses Mycotic infections Fungal infections Single organism – fungus Multiple organisms – fungi Affect Superficial skin Various body systems

Skin Dermatophytosis Aka ringworm Infects skin of Dogs Cats Horses Cattle pigs Humans Sheep Goats

Transmission Direct contact  Fomites: (any inanimate object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms)  Soil  Bedding  Carpet  Furniture  Tack  Blankets  Brushes  Clippers  Infected animals  Humans

Young are most susceptible Symptoms Characteristic lesions  Hair loss  Scaly around loss  Circumscribed edges  Raised and reddened  Pruritus Diagnosis Skin scrapings Culture Treatment Spontaneous recovery Prevent spread

Dermatophilosis Aka Rain Gall Cutaneous (skin) Infects Horses Cattle Sheep Goats Transmission Vectors  Biting flies

Exudative dermatitis Symptoms Scabs Raised, crusty lumps covered with hair  “Paintbrush lesion” Develop Lower legs Chest Back Hips Diagnosis Cultures Biopsies Skin scrapings

General Systemic mycoses Infect body systems Cutaneous Respiratory Digestive Diagnosis Radiographs Culture Serology Skin immunologic tests

Diseases Aspergillosis Candidosis Coccidioidomycosis Histoplasmisis Blastomycosis Sporotrichosis