title: Dermoscopic features in 12 cats with dermatophytosis and in 12 cats with self-induced alopecia due to other causes: an observational descriptive study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermoscopy is a noninvasive technique allowing rapid magnified in vivo observation of the skin and structures that lie beneath the skin surface. Various congenital and acquired hair shaft abnormalities may also be evaluated by dermoscopy. Additionally, characteristic features of Microsporum canis-induced tinea capitis and trichotillomania in humans have been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the dermoscopic findings observed in cats with patchy alopecia due to M. canis infection and in cats with self-inflicted hair loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four client-owned cats presented at a veterinary referral practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dermoscopy was performed with a hand-held nonpolarized light dermoscope at 10-fold magnification. The glass plate of the dermoscope was applied gently to the lesions and no sedation was required.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve cats were diagnosed with dermatophytosis and 12 with self-induced alopecia due to other causes. At 10-fold magnification, the most characteristic findings observed in circumscribed lesions of cats with dermatophytosis were opaque, slightly curved, broken hairs of a homogeneous thickness (comma-like structures) and a variable amount of brown-to-yellow greasy scales. In cats with self-induced alopecia, multiple hairs with a normal shaft cleanly broken at different lengths, short tufts of hairs broken at an equal level and hook-like and coiled hairs were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This observational descriptive study suggests that dermoscopy may represent a helpful noninvasive in vivo technique in the differential diagnosis of patchy alopecia in cats.
authors.affiliation: Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, via Sismondi 62, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scarampella
authors.affiliation: Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, via Sismondi 62, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanna
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Section, Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peano
authors.affiliation: UO Qualità, Ricerca Organizzativa e Innovazione, AUSL della Romagna, via Coriano 38, 47924, Rimini, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1600 Northwest 10th Avenue, RMSB 2023A, Locator Code R-250 Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tosti
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014005:Tinea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*