Evaluation of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of naturally occurring dermatophytosis in cats.
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.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of naturally occurring dermatophytosis compared to fungal culture.


METHODS
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
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.
Animal Dermatology Clinic, 150 N. San Gabriel Blvd. #400, Pasadena, CA, 91107, USA.
Charli
C
Dong
Animal Dermatology Clinic, 150 N. San Gabriel Blvd. #400, Pasadena, CA, 91107, USA.
John
J
Angus
Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, Via G, Sismondi 62, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Fabia
F
Scarampella
The Mountain-Whisper-Light Statistics, 1827 23rd Ave. East, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA.
Moni
M
Neradilek
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D014005:Tinea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*