Cytology of Skin Lesions in Dermatophytosis of Cats and Dogs

The present investigation focused on the clinical and cytological assessment of dermatophytosis in domestic canines and felines. Veterinary clinics conducted examinations of cats and dogs for lesions indicative of fungal infections. Cellophane adhesive tape strips and impression smears were collected from the affected areas. Samples obtained from these lesions were analyzed using standard culture methods for dermatophytes. Culture results predominantly identified M. canis in 9 cats and 9 dogs out of the 150 animals assessed. Clinical evaluations of the animals positive for dermatophytes showed primarily alopecia, followed by erythema, annular lesions, scales/crusts, hyperpigmentation, and a single occurrence of a nodular lesion. Cytological analysis indicated the presence of arthrospores, acanthocytes, keratinocytes, corneocytes, neutrophils, and mononuclear cells. In the cases presented, dogs exhibited more severe lesions with a notably higher count of neutrophils compared to the cats. An arbitrary grading system indicated that the population of corneocytes was greater in the lesions observed in cats.