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RINGWORM ‘Tinea corporis’ - Kayla Meriano
Background:
Ringworm is part of the dermatophyte family. Dermatophytes are fungi causing fungal infections of the integument. Ringworm is impartial to one species over another and can infect canids, felids, and humans.
Reservoir:
Ringworm, ‘Tinea corporis’, is a naturally occurring fungus found in soil and skin of both animals and humans. Once an opportunity arises, such as a humid climate or infection of a nail bed/hair follicle, the fungus turns into an integument infection. This is known as a ‘dermatophyte’.
Portal of Exit:
Direct contact with the spores will result in infection.
Mode of Transmission:
Direct interaction with the fungus will infect a host. Ringworm, being contagious, can then be spread from said host to others, whether it be from canine to human or human to human. Fungal spores can remain dormant on inanimate objects for up to 18 months.
Portal of Entry:
Direct contact with the spores will result in infection.
Susceptible Host:
Canines, felines, humans, cattle. Ovine, swine, goats, rabbits, rodents, birds
Clinical Signs:
Canines and Felines: Multiple patches throughout the body of circular lesions accompanied by alopecia, inflammation, erythema, scab-like coverings, claws can become brittle. Can also present with no clinical signs. Feline cases often go undetected until human transmission due to no presence of said lesions. Felines more often present with large, scaly patches of skin.
Diagnosis:
Some cases of the dermatophyte may be diagnosed with a Wood’s Lamp, an ultraviolet light that causes the infected areas to glow a fluorescent yellow-green. Not all cases may be diagnosed this way. The best method of diagnosis is a skin scraping for a laboratory culture to be performed.
Treatment:
A combination of topical therapies, creams/ointments/shampoos, and systemic drugs, antifungals generally by mouth, can be used to treat ringworm. The environment must also be cleansed prior to beginning treatment as the spores can reinfect said patient easily.
Control Transmission:
After beginning treatment, pets remain contagious for about three weeks. Multipet households should keep the infected from the clean and be sure to clean all objects used by the infected. A thorough disinfecting of any possible exposed inanimate objects should be performed, as spores can remain on their surface. Exposure should be minimized between the infected animal and not only other animals, but other people. Keeping them in their own area with their own possessions during this three week period is a safe method of prevention. Proper protective equipment, such as gloves and even masks, should be worn during all of these ‘damage control’ procedures. Remains contagious in humans for the first 48 hours of treatment
Sources:
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ringworm-in-dogs
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3350966/
Reviewed by: Samantha Young
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