Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis of Dermatophilosis (Cutaneous Streptothricosis) in Cattle in Ethiopia: Case Report

This study aims and documents the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of bovine dermatophilosis, caused by Dermatophilus congolensis that causes exudation and matting of hairs and wools with the formation of crusts and scab. An adult local breed bull with a history of reduced appetite, pruritus, dirty scabs and crusts as initial lesion coalesce on its different body parts was presented to Debre Markos multipurpose veterinary clinic. The rectal temperature and other vital parameters were within the normal range. The clinical signs observed were exudative dermatitis forming crusts and scabs, pruritus, matted hair like a paintbrush and keratinized material creating wart-like lesions that were widely distributed in different body parts. Few ticks were observed on the skin of the bull suspected as vector of the disease. Culture of skin scraps on blood agar showed small, grayish-white raised granular and hemolytic colonies. Staining of skin scraps by Giemsa and Gram's stain and cultured colony by Gram's stain indicated the characteristics of Dermatophilus congolensis, etiology of dermatophilosis. Other laboratory tests also showed the characteristics of D. congolensis. The case was treated by penstrep and ivermectin parentally and iodine tincture topically, and the bull showed progressive clinical improvement and complete recovery within 2 months. In conclusion, dermatophilosis is an economically important skin disease, highly prevalent in Ethiopia, and needs early detection and treatment by penstrep intramuscularly and ivermectine subcutaneously with iodine tincture topically in line with proper husbandry practices to control the losses.