Serum Trace Elements and Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Persian Cats With Dermatophytosis Compared to Other Dermatological Disorders

Background: Despite the high prevalence of dermatophytosis in cats, little is known about the impact of this disease on the antioxidant status and trace elements in these animals. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the concentration of serum trace elements (copper, iron, zinc, and selenium) and oxidant/antioxidant status (malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and thiol group) in Persian cats with dermatophytosis compared to healthy controls and other dermatological disorders. Methods: Three groups of cats were selected: Cats with dermatophytosis (n=13), cats with other dermatological conditions (n=6), and clinically and dermatologically healthy cats (n=6). All 25 cats were subjected to clinical and dermatological examinations, including direct microscopic examination and fungal cultures. Additionally, possible contamination with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) were tested. Results: Microsporum canis was the only dermatophyte species isolated from the affected cats, and only two cats were infected with the FIV: One in the dermatophytosis group and one in the other skin disease group. For trace elements, we did not detect any differences between cats with dermatophytosis and healthy cats. However, copper levels were higher in other skin disease groups than healthy controls (P<0.05). Cats with dermatophytosis and other skin diseases revealed a decrease in TAC compared to healthy controls (P<0.01). Conclusion: The present study found variations in the oxidative indices in cats with dermatophytosis and other skin disorders. This result supports the hypothesis that improving antioxidant status through dietary supplementation may be beneficial in preventing and resolving skin diseases in cats.