An Overview on Dermatophilosis of Animals: a Review

Dermatophilosis is a contagious zoonotic skin disease with wide host range and most commonly affects cattle, sheep and horse. The principal causative agent is Dermatophilus congolensis which is a member of the aerobic actinomycete. Dermatophilosis has worldwide distribution and the disease is reported most frequently in relatively low altitude areas with tropical and subtropical climates with high ambient temperature and torrential rain patterns. The disease is characterized by exudative dermatitis with scab formation. Factors such as prolonged wetting by rain, high humidity, high temperature, mechanical injury to the skin, concurrent disease, stress and tick infestation that reduce or permeate the natural barrier of the integument influence the development, prevalence, seasonal incidence and transmission of Dermatophilosis. Diagnosis can be made by demonstrating the characteristic appearance of the cocci on impression smears. Treatment, control and prevention of Dermatophilosis depend on deep understanding of the epidemiology of the disease. As conclusion Dermatophilosis has a worldwide distribution, wide host range and creating an economic significance in animals. So in addition to reviewing the subject matter of Dermatophilosis, an advanced research is required to assess the status of the diseases in detail.