Dermatophilosis in Cross-Bred Dairy Cattle in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia

Abstract

In this paper, we present clinical and microbiological findings of dermatophilosis in five Holstein –Zebu cross-bred dairy cattle. All the cases occurred in wet (rainy) season, in adult dairy cows .Matted hair, raised, discrete or confluent scabs and crusted lesions were commonly observed on the skin of back and sides of the body.The ticks were observed on the body of all the five cattle. The presumptive clinical diagnosis was supported by direct microscopy of smears made from the active lesions and exudates and stained with Giemsa technique. Further, the isolation of Dermatophilus congolensis was done by culturing of the clinical materials on blood agar. Treatment was attempted with topical application of zinc sulphate and parenetral administration of combiotic (penicillin and streptomycin) for five consecutive days. The isolation of diseased cattle, proper disposal of crusts / scabs, control of ticks and other ectoparasites may help to reduce the incidence of disease. As D. cogenesis infection has been recorded in humans, care must be exercised in handling of the diseased animals to prevent transmission of infection to humans. The direct microscopy of clinical material by Giemsa technique can be recommended to confirm the diagnosis of dermatophilosis particularly in field or remote areas where the facilities for cultural isolation of microorganisms are not easily available.