The treatment of bovine dermatophilosis and its effect on some haematological and blood chemical parameters

Abstract

In this study, the authors evaluated parenteral treatment of zebu cattle, with naturally and experimentally induced bovine dermatophilosis, in western Sudan, using four different antibiotic treatments. In terms of recovery rate, weight gain, avoiding relapse and preventing death, gentamycin was found to be the most effective treatment, followed by a combination of penicillin and streptomycin and, finally, long-acting oxytetracycline. However, enrofloxacin was not successful. A significant improvement in the red blood cell count was noticed among cattle treated with penicillin-streptomycin (p = 0.021) and gentamycin (p = 0.029). All treated cattle, except those treated with enrofloxacin, showed a significant improvement in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (p = 0.021); mean corpuscular volume (p = 0.021), and white blood cell count (p < 0.021). Significant improvements were observed among treated cattle in their total levels of protein, calcium (p = 0.021) and cholesterol (p < 0.05), when compared to untreated cattle infected with Dermatophilus congolensis. This study recommends gentamycin as a drug of choice for the parenteral treatment of dermatophilosis. Treatment was not only effective in early, mild cases but also useful among moderately and heavily affected cattle. According to the observations of the authors, when no intervention took place, the condition of moderately and heavily affected cattle deteriorated and/or resulted in death.

Full text

Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 2009, 28 (3), 1111-1118
The treatment of bovine dermatophilosis
and its effect on some haematological and blood
chemical parameters
M.E. Hamid (1)* & M.S. Musa (2)
(1) Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Khartoum, P.O. Box 32, Khartoum North, Sudan
(2) Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Nyala, P.O. Box 155, Sudan
*Corresponding author: College of Medicine, Abha P.O. Box 641, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
E-mail: mehamid2@yahoo.com
Submitted for publication: 5 November 2007
Accepted for publication: 20 May 2009
Summary
In this study, the authors evaluated parenteral treatment of zebu cattle, with
naturally and experimentally induced bovine dermatophilosis, in western Sudan,
using four different antibiotic treatments. In terms of recovery rate, weight gain,
avoiding relapse and preventing death, gentamycin was found to be the most
effective treatment, followed by a combination of penicillin and streptomycin
and, finally, long-acting oxytetracycline. However, enrofloxacin was not
successful. A significant improvement in the red blood cell count was noticed
among cattle treated with penicillin-streptomycin (p = 0.021) and gentamycin
(p = 0.029). All treated cattle, except those treated with enrofloxacin, showed a
significant improvement in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration
(p = 0.021); mean corpuscular volume (p = 0.021), and white blood cell count
(p < 0.021). Significant improvements were observed among treated cattle in
their total levels of protein, calcium (p = 0.021) and cholesterol (p < 0.05), when
compared to untreated cattle infected with Dermatophilus congolensis.
This study recommends gentamycin as a drug of choice for the parenteral
treatment of dermatophilosis. Treatment was not only effective in early, mild
cases but also useful among moderately and heavily affected cattle. According
to the observations of the authors, when no intervention took place, the condition
of moderately and heavily affected cattle deteriorated and/or resulted in death.
Keywords
Antibiotics – Bovine dermatophilosis – Cutaneous streptothricosis – Dermatophilus
congolensis – Haematological and blood chemical parameters – Sudan – Western Sudan
– Zebu cattle.
Introduction
Bovine dermatophilosis (cutaneous streptothricosis) is a
serious skin disease of cattle, sheep and some other
species, which is caused by Dermatophilus congolensis.
Dermatophilosis is worldwide in distribution, but the
disease is most economically important in tropical
countries. It causes considerable losses, due to damaged
hides, failure to thrive, lowered production, increased
culling and death (14, 20, 21, 23).
Many trials have been published on the treatment of
dermatophilosis. Blancou (5) found that a combination
of penicillin and streptomycin in high doses was effective
in the treatment of this disease. However, due to the short
duration of this combination, long-acting oxytetracycline
was tried (10, 15). Ogwu et al. (17) found no difference in

1112 Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 28 (3)
bacteriological criteria. Four types of treatment were
chosen on the basis of recent in vitro testing results (16).
Group 1
This group, which included three naturally infected cattle
and one experimentally infected animal, received no
treatment and was used as a control.
Group 2
This group received long-acting oxytetracycline (20%) at a
dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, delivered intramuscularly.
The dose was repeated: in all, 20 mg/kg was given twice,
three days apart.
Group 3
This groupreceived multiple doses of procaine penicillin G,
in an intramuscular dose of 70,000 IU/kg body weight, in
recovery rate between animals that received two doses of
the long-acting oxytetracycline and those that received
only one dose. These authors, therefore, recommended a
closer evaluation of the therapeutic effects of these drugs.
In Sudan, dermatophilosis is known to cause considerable
economic losses. Although the disease has long been
recognised by both cattle owners and researchers (1, 15,
16, 22), few trials on treating Sudanese cattle have been
attempted. The current investigation aimed to evaluate
four different antimicrobial treatments for bovine
dermatophilosis by clinically monitoring the results and by
measuring various serum constituents as health/disease
indicators before and after treatment. Values from healthy
cattle in the region were employed as controls.
Materials and methods
Experimental animals
Fifteen naturally infected (Fig. 1) and five experimentally
infected zebu cattle (of the Baggara type) were used in the
experiment. The animals were purchased from Markondi
and Kopom localities in the state of South Darfur, Western
Sudan, and walked to the Nyala University farm. The cattle
were allowed an acclimatisation period of one month,
during which they were subjected to thorough clinical
examination and received therapeutic doses of ivermectin
against internal and external parasites. The animals were
maintained on open pasture, with an adequate food
(roughage) and water supply, thus simulating the
traditional husbandry management system practised in
South Darfur.
Before the animals received treatment, their D. congolensis
infection was identified morphologically on Giemsa-
stained smears (Fig. 2), histopathologically and by
culturing the causative agent on 7% sheep blood agar and
incubating under a concentration of 5% CO2, as well as by
using selected biochemical properties, as recommended by
Quinn et al. (19). Experimental infection was carried out
through the scarification method described by Abu-Samra
(1).
Treatment regimes
The 20 animals were placed in five groups. Each group
contained three naturally infected cattle and one
experimentally infected calf. Of the three naturally infected
cattle, one was mildly affected, one moderately affected
and one severely affected by the disease (Fig. 1), so that the
authors could evaluate their recovery and observe any self-
healing cases, which are common among light infections.
The disease grades were assessed using clinical and
Fig. 1
Skin lesions on a cow infected with Dermatophilus congolensis
(graded ‘heavily infected’), in Idd Elfirssan province, South
Darfur, Sudan
Fig. 2
A branching, filamentous Gram-positive organism,
demonstrated in a cow infected with Dermatophilus
congolensis

combination with streptomycin (streptomycin sulphate),
at a dose of 70 mg/kg body weight for three consecutive
days, given intramuscularly.
Group 4
This group received gentamycin (gentamycin sulphate
10%), in an intramuscular dose of 5 mg/kg body weight.
This dose was given twice on the first day and then once a
day for a further four days.
Group 5
This group received enrofloxacin (5%) subcutaneously, at a
dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight for three consecutive days.
Three more doses were subsequently given, at intervals of
seven days.
The weights of the animals in each group were computed
before treatment, using the following formula:
W = L G/300 (18); where W = weight in pounds;
L = length from the point of the shoulder to the pin bone
in inches; and G = girth in inches.
After treatment, the animals were examined every three
days. Their general health was observed and affected areas
were inspected for evidence of drying up and/or dropping
of the scabs. The beginning of new hair growth was also
monitored. Affected animals were considered clinically
recovered when the crust dropped off and new hair
appeared at the sites of the scabs.
Collection of blood samples
Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each
animal, using Vacutainer systems. The blood was divided
into two aliquots. One aliquot was for the haematological
parameters, and contained sodium citrate as an anti-
coagulant, and the other aliquot was allowed to clot at
room temperature, and centrifuged at 11,000 revolutions
per minute for 2 min. The serum was then separated and
stored at – 20°C until analysed.
Determination of haematological parameters
The haematological parameters were determined by
following standard methodology (11). These parameters
included the:
– red blood cell (RBC) count
– white blood cell (WBC) count
– haemoglobin concentration
– mean corpuscular haemoglobin
– mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
– mean cell volume (MCV)
– packed cell volume.
Determination of blood chemical parameters
The total proteins were determined using the Biuret
method, as described by King and Wootton (13). Serum
albumin was estimated according to Bartholomew and
Delany (4), and serum globulins were calculated as the
difference between the total protein and the albumin.
Levels of serum inorganic phosphate, calcium and
cholesterol were determined with a photocolorimeter,
using plasmatic laboratory product kits.
Statistical analysis
Numerical data were expressed as means and standard
deviations. The Kruskal-Willis test was used to assess
whether observations from the samples (pre-treatment and
post-treatment) differed significantly (7). The test results
were analysed using XLSTAT software (version 2008.7.03).
Results
Treatment
The clinical results of the treatment trials for the five
groups are described below.
Group 1 (control)
No change in the clinical picture was noticed in three
cows. The condition of one heavily (naturally) infected
cow and two moderately infected animals (one infected
naturally and one experimentally) got worse. The fourth
cow, which was only mildly infected, recovered
spontaneously.
Group 2 (long-acting oxytetracycline)
Three out of the four animals (75%) in this group were
cured. One of these three treated cows relapsed, four
weeks after finishing treatment, and its condition
continued to deteriorate until death.
Group 3 (penicillin and streptomycin)
Three out of the four animals (75%) in this group
recovered. One of these three cattle relapsed after three
weeks. The fourth cow was severely affected and no
evidence of improvement has been observed.
Group 4 (gentamycin)
Three of the four animals (75%) in this group were
completely cured. The treatment of the fourth cow was
considered a failure. This animal was heavily infected (70%
of her body was covered in visible scabby lesions) and
showed only patches of improvement in areas with dry
scabs. However, the moist scab areas, particularly sites of
tick attachment, remained, without obvious healing.
Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 28 (3) 1113

Group 5 (enrofloxacin)
No partial healing or complete recovery was observed in
this group.
Effects of treatment on body weight
No significant change in body weight was noted in the
control group (which received no treatment) or in the
cattle treated with enrofloxacin. Significant weight gains
were observed among the treated cattle in groups 2, 3 and
4, which received long-acting oxytetracycline, penicillin
combined with streptomycin, and gentamycin,
respectively (Fig. 3).
Effects of treatment
on haematological parameters
The effects of the four antibiotic treatments on the
haematological values of the cattle infected with
D. congolensis are shown in Table I. Significant
improvements in RBC counts were noticed among the
cattle treated with the penicillin-streptomycin combination
(p = 0.021) and gentamycin (p = 0.029). All treated cattle
showed significant improvements in their MCHC (p =
0.021), MCV (p = 0.021) and WBC (p < 0.021).
Effects of treatment
on serum biochemical values
The effects of the four antibiotic treatments on the serum
composition values of the cattle infected with D. congolensis
are shown in Table II. The untreated cattle demonstrated a
drop in their levels of total proteins (p = 0.021), calcium
(p = 0.021) and cholesterol (p < 0.05), when compared to
Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 28 (3)
1114
-4
-6
-8
-10
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Weight before treatment
Control Enrofloxacin
LA oxytetracycline Penicillin and
streptomycin
Gentamycin
Weight after treatment
LA: long-acting
Fig. 3
Effects of four different antibiotic treatments on body weight in
cattle infected with Dermatophilus congolensis
The graph shows weight losses (negative numbers) and weight gains
(positive numbers)
the treated cattle. However, treatment did not affect
phosphorus levels, except in those cattle treated with
enrofloxacin.
Discussion
Several of the treatments applied in this study resulted in
the complete recovery of many of the animals (for instance,
75% of the gentamycin-treated cattle), which will
undoubtedly improve their market value. These
improvements were reflected in their body-weight gains,
clinical pictures and haematological and serum constituent
values. The most effective drug was gentamycin, although
long-acting oxytetracycline and the combination of
penicillin and streptomycin also gave good results.
The required dose of gentamycin for adult cattle was
expensive, in comparison with long-acting oxytetracycline
and the combination of penicillin and streptomycin. In this
way, the study confirms previous findings which
recommend long-acting oxytetracycline and the penicillin-
streptomycin combination (5, 10, 15, 17, 20).
Furthermore, a better treatment – the gentamycin – has
emerged. Though it is expensive, this drug achieved
remarkable results, including:
– recovery from the disease
– the disappearance of lesions
– weight gain
– the prevention of relapse and/or death.
The cost of these drugs per average adult cow, calculated at
the time of the study, was:
– US$25 for gentamycin
– US$20 for the combination of penicillin and
streptomycin
– US$15 for enrofloxacin
– only US$7 for long-acting oxytetracycline.
This should be compared with the value of an adult cow,
showing dermatophilosis lesions at, for example, the Nyala
livestock market. This value can range from US$50 to
$150, according to the size and weight of the animal and
the degree of damage caused by the disease.
In the present study, the successful antimicrobial treatment
of the affected cattle was followed by improvements
(towards normal values) in some of their biochemical
parameters. A similar elevation of calcium, globulin and
cholesterol has been observed following the injection of
antibiotics. Serum constituents, notably minerals and
proteins, are important parameters to determine the effects
of disease on the physiology of an infected animal, and to
track their recuperation. Changes in these constituents are

Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 28 (3) 1115
Table I
Mean blood chemical values in cattle infected with Dermatophilus congolensis, before and after treatment with antibiotics
Treatment RBC/cmm MCHC (%) Hb (g/dL) MCH (pg) MCV (fl) PCV (%) WBC/cmm
Pre- Post- Pre- Post- Pre- Post- Pre- Post- Pre- Post- Pre- Post- Pre- Post-
groups(a)
treatment treatment treatment treatment treatment treatment treatment treatment treatment treatment treatment treatment treatment treatment
Control 4.6 ± 1.8 4.6 ± 1.14 26.5 ± 2.7 29.9 ± 2.6 7.6 ± 2.8 6.2 ± 2.4 19.1 ± 0.6 13.7 ± 0.24 53.4 ± 10 46.1 ± 10.2 0.3 ± 0.04 0.21 ± 0.02 7.8 ± 0.9 8.8 ± 0.9
p = 1.000 NS p = 0.248 NS p = 0.248 NS p = 0.019* p = 0.248 NS p = 0.021* p = 0.110 NS
Enrofloxacin 5.1 ± 2.7 5.23 ± 1.2 24.6 ± 3.8 31.7 ± 3 6.7 ± 0.73 5.2 ± 1.1 17.2 ± 0.2 10.1 ± 0.7 43.7 ± 1 32.8 ± 0.4 0.3 ± 0.02 0.2 ± 0.04 6.9 ± 0.6 5.3 ± 0.6
p = 0.309 NS p = 0.021* p = 0.059 NS p = 0.020* p = 0.021* p = 0.309 NS p = 0.021*
Long-acting 6.3 ± 0.6 8.7 ± 1.8 27.6 ± 2.7 33.6 ± 2.9 7.3 ± 0.34 7.8 ± 0.31 10.7 ± 0.8 15.3 ± 2.5 44.4 ± 1.8 31.1 ± 0.1 0.3 ± 0.06 0.22 ± 0.01 8.9 ± 0.13 8 ± 0.2
oxytetracycline p = 0.059 NS p = 0.021* p = 0.058 NS p = 0.020* p = 0.021* p = 0.885 NS p = 0.019*
Penicillin & 5.34 ± 0.38 7.2 ± 1.4 24.4 ± 0.7 28.7 ± 3.4 7.9 ± 0.8 8.4 ± 0.6 9.5 ± 0.1 11.2 ± 3 56.5 ± 3 40.1 ± 12.4 0.33 ± 0.05 0.3 ± 0.01 11.3 ± 0.24 7.6 ± 0.1
streptomycin p = 0.021* p = 0.021* p = 0.243 NS p = 0.020* p = 0.021* p = 0.554 NS p = 0.021*
Gentamycin 5.7 ± 0.18 8.3 ± 2.3 25.2 ± 1.8 29.5 ± 2.2 7.8 ± 0.4 8.6 ± 0.3 10.2 ± 1 13.3 ± 3.9 58.5 ± 0.4 46 ± 0.04 0.3 ± 0.05 0.3 ± 0.03 9.9 ± 0.8 7.5 ± 0.78
p = 0.029* p = 0.021* p = 0.021* p = 1.000 NS p = 0.021* p = 1.000 NS p = 0.021*
(a) Each group contained four animals MCH (pg): mean corpuscular haemoglobin (picogram) NS: no significant difference; computed using the Kruskal-Wallis test at 0.05 alpha level
RBC/cmm: red blood cells per cubic millimetre MCV (fl) : mean cell volume (femtolitre) * Significant difference
MHCH: mean corpuscular haemoglobin PCV: packed cell volume
Hb (g/dL): haemoglobin (grams per decilitre) WBC/cmm: white blood cell per cubic millimetre
Table II
Effects of four antibiotic treatments on the serum biochemical values of cattle infected with Dermatophilus congolensis, before and after treatment
Treatment Total protein (g/dL) Albumin (g/dL) Globulin (g/dL) Calcium (mg/dL) Phosphorus (mg/dL) Cholesterol (mg/dL)
groups(a) Pre-treatment Post-treatment Pre-treatment Post-treatment Pre-treatment Post-treatment Pre-treatment Post-treatment Pre-treatment Post-treatment Pre-treatment Post-treatment
Control 6.25 ± 1.7 6.9 ± 2.2 1.3 ± 0.12 1.7 ± 1.32 3.9 ± 0.8 5.3 ± 1.2 11.8 ± 1.6 10.6 ± 0.5 5.7 ± 0.8 5.9 ± 0.12 194.6 ± 10.6 196.8 ± 14.3
p = 0.513 NS p = 1.000 NS p = 0.149 NS p = 0.248 NS p = 0.663 NS p = 0.885 NS
Enrofloxacin 5.1 ± 0.7 7.4 ± 1.3 1.9 ± 0.3 1.6 ± 0.2 3.3 ± 0.45 5.8 ± 1.4 9.5 ± 1.1 14.1 ± 2.1 10.9 ± 1.4 6.2 ± 1.4 148.2 ± 33.4 196.8 ± 21.4
p = 0.021* p = 0.248 NS p = 0.021* p = 0.021* p = 0.021* p = 0.043*
Long-acting 5.8 ± 0.74 8.8 ± 1.2 1.9 ± 0.57 1.5 ± 0.09 3.7 ± 1.3 6.4 ± 0.3 10.4 ± 1 13.3 ± 0.19 9.4 ± 1.9 7.4 ± 0.18 195 ± 23.9 311.1 ± 32.6
oxytetracycline p = 0.021* p = 0.309 NS p = 0.050 p = 0.021* p = 0.110 NS p = 0.021*
Penicillin & 5.6 ± 0.6 8.7 ± 1.1 1.9 ± 0.15 1.7 ± 0.27 4.11 ± 1.1 7.2 ± 1.2 10.9 ± .29 12.6 ± 0.6 11.9 ± 3.1 7.7 ± 1.1 209.1 ± 37.9 262.2 ± 28.1
streptomycin p = 0.021* p = 0.386 NS p = 0.021* p = 0.021* p = 0.080 NS p = 0.043*
Gentamycin 5.5 ± 0.3 7.3 ± 1.4 1.8 ± 0.02 1.4 ± 0.25 3.7 ± 0.13 5.7 ± 1.5 11.8 ± .17 13.7 ± 0.29 12.1 ± 3.6 8.7 ± 0.34 164 ± 20.9 278.9 ± 37.6
p = 0.021* p = 0.021* p = 0.021* p = 0.021* p = 0.191 NS p = 0.021*
(a) Each group contained four animals NS: no significant difference; computed using the Kruskal-Wallis test at 0.05 alpha level
g/dL: grams per decilitre * significant difference
mg/dL: milligrams per decilitre

Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 28 (3)
1116
often associated with disease and might be good laboratory
markers for diagnosis and disease surveillance (20). The
present study confirmed the potential to treat
dermatophilosis effectively, as reported by previous studies
(5, 10, 15, 17). Recovery was noted among
dermatophilosis cases that were caught early or in cattle
that were only mildly affected. The present study
emphasises gentamycin as the drug of choice for parenteral
treatment. However, the routine administration of
gentamycin would be extremely difficult under extensive
farming conditions, such as in the nomadic herds in South
Darfur State, and the cost of this drug is high. In the
limited interviews conducted by the authors, the cost was
seen as acceptable by cattle traders, who spend a lot to get
sick cattle ready for the market. On the other hand,
nomadic cattle-owners might not see this cost as
economic.
The drop in total proteins among infected cattle as
compared to treated animals, observed in this study (p =
0.021), seemed to be due to a decrease in both albumin
and globulin fractions. Amakiri (2) observed a reduction in
albumin values among Dermatophilus-infected cattle in
Nigeria. The same author reported an increase in globulin
levels in infected white Fulani cattle. In the present
experiment, decreased globulin levels among the Baggara
cattle might be attributable to a fall in immunoglobulins,
due to immunological depression in the terminal stages of
the disease, as indicated by Barré et al. (3). It is likely that
the drop in total proteins could be due to:
– anorexia
– a failure in albumin fraction synthesis by the
hepatocytes
– protein urea (3).
On the other hand, a marked rise in serum cholesterol has
been detected among D. congolensis-infected cattle,
compared with the normal established range in healthy
cattle. It is known that serum cholesterol concentration
increases in several disease states, primarily liver disease
(6). This observation is in accordance with that of Gaulier
et al. (8), who reported toxic hepatitis among
D. congolensis-infected cattle.
In the present study, the calcium level improved
significantly after treatment (p = 0.021). This result seems
to agree with that of Kapu (12), who observed decreased
calcium levels among infected cattle in Nigerian breeds.
However, Gbodi (9) found that cattle infected with
D. congolensis had higher calcium levels than healthy cattle.
The influence of bovine dermatophilosis on serum
phosphorus has not been investigated before. There was no
decrease in the level of phosphorus (or increase in the
calcium/phosphorus ratio) after treatment (p > 0.05).
However, among the cattle treated with enrofloxacin (a
treatment which was considered to have failed in this
study), phosphorus levels decreased significantly
(p = 0.021).
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Administration of Nyala
University for financial assistance and particularly to
Professor Adam Hassan and Dr Adam Daoud.
Le traitement de la dermatophilose bovine et ses effets sur
certains paramètres hématologiques et hématochimiques
M.E. Hamid & M.S. Musa
Résumé
Les auteurs présentent les résultats d’une étude conduite au Soudan occidental
pour évaluer les effets de quatre traitements antibiotiques de la dermatophilose
bovine administrés par voie parentérale à des zébus suite à une infection
naturelle ou expérimentale. Les meilleurs effets en termes de taux de guérison,
d’amélioration du gain pondéral, de prévention des rechutes et de réduction des
cas de mortalité étaient obtenus par la gentamicine, suivie par l’association
pénicilline-streptomycine et enfin par l’oxytétracycline à longue action. En
revanche, l’enrofloxacine s’est avérée inefficace. Les zébus ayant reçu le
traitement associant pénicilline et streptomycine (p = 0,021) et ceux traités à la
gentamicine (p = 0,029) ont présenté une augmentation significative du nombre
de globules rouges. Chez tous les animaux traités à l’exception de ceux ayant

Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 28 (3) 1117
Tratamiento de la dermatofilosis bovina y su efecto sobre
determinados parámetros hematológicos y hematoquímicos
M.E. Hamid & M.S. Musa
Resumen
Los autores describen un estudio que se llevó a cabo en el oeste del Sudán para
evaluar cuatro antibióticos distintos administrados como tratamiento parenteral
a cebúes con dermatofilosis bovina, ya fuera ésta de origen natural o inducida.
Por lo que respecta al índice de recuperación, el aumento de peso, la ausencia
de recaídas y la prevención de muertes, se observó que la gentamicina
constituía el tratamiento más eficaz, seguido de la administración combinada de
penicilina y estreptomicina y, por último, de la terapia con oxitetraciclina de
acción prolongada. La enrofloxacina, en cambio, no deparó buenos resultados.
El recuento eritrocitario mejoró considerablemente en los animales tratados con
penicilina-estreptomicina (p = 0,021) y gentamicina (p = 0,029). En todos los
animales sometidos a tratamiento, excepto los que recibieron enrofloxacina, se
advirtió una notable mejora de parámetros como la concentración mediana de
hemoglobina corpuscular (p = 0,021), el volumen corpuscular mediano (p = 0,021)
y el recuento leucocitario (p < 0,021). También se observó una importante mejora
de los animales tratados por lo que respecta a los niveles totales de proteínas,
calcio (p = 0,021) y colesterol (p < 0,05), en comparación con los animales
infectados por Dermatophilus congolensis que no recibieron tratamiento alguno.
A tenor de los resultados del estudio, los autores recomiendan privilegiar el uso
de la gentamicina para el tratamiento parenteral de la dermatofilosis. Este
fármaco resultó útil no sólo para tratar casos leves e incipientes, sino también
infecciones moderadas o graves. Según observaron los autores, a falta de toda
intervención los animales con afección moderada o grave evolucionan a peor
y/o acaban muriendo.
Palabras clave
Antibióticos – Dermatofilosis bovina – Dermatophilus congolensis – Estreptotricosis
cutánea – Ganado cebú – Parámetros hematológicos y hematoquímicos – Sudán – Sudán
Occidental.
reçu de l’enrofloxacine, il a été constaté une amélioration significative de la
concentration corpusculaire moyenne en hémoglobine (p = 0,021), du volume
corpusculaire moyen (p = 0,021) et du nombre de globules blancs (p < 0,021). Une
amélioration significative des teneurs totales en protéines, en calcium (p = 0,021)
et en cholestérol (p < 0.05) a été enregistrée chez les zébus traités,
comparativement à ceux infectés par Dermatophilus congolensis et non traités.
Les auteurs concluent de cette étude que la gentamicine est le médicament de
choix pour le traitement parentéral de la dermatophilose. Ce traitement s’est
avéré efficace pour traiter non seulement les cas de dermatophilose précoce et
légère, mais aussi les infections modérées à sévères. En l’absence de
traitement, ces infections modérées à sévères entraînent une détérioration
rapide de l’état des zébus infectés, allant parfois jusqu’à la mort.
Mots-clés
Antibiotique – Dermatophilose bovine – Dermatophilus congolensis – Paramètre
hématologique et hématochimique – Soudan – Soudan occidental – Streptothricose
cutanée – Zébu.

Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 28 (3)
1118
References
1. Abu-Samra M.T. (1974). – Some skin diseases of domestic
animals in Sudan with especial references to streptothricosis.
Thesis for Master of Veterinary Science, submitted to the
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum.
2. Amakiri S.F. (1977). – Electrophoretic studies of serum
proteins in healthy and streptothricosis infected cattle. Br.
vet. J., 133 (1), 106-107.
3. Barré N., Matheron G., Lefèvre P.C., Le Goff C., Rogez B.,
Roger F., Martinez D. & Sheikboudou C. (1988). –
Dermatophilus congolensis infection in cattle in the French
West Indies: characteristics of the lesions and the serological
response. Rev. Elev. Méd. vét. Pays trop., 41, 129-138.
4. Bartholomew S. & Delany A. (1966). – Blood albumen
determination. Proc. Australasian Assoc. clin. Biochemists,
1, 214-218.
5. Blancou J.M. (1969). – Treatment of bovine streptothricosis
by a single high dose antibiotic injection [in French]. Rev.
Elev. Méd. vét. Pays trop., 22 (1), 33-40.
6. Bush B.M. (1970). – The effect of dietary iodine on blood
cholesterol levels in the dog. Res. vet. Sci.,11 (6), 597-598.
7. Campbell M.J. & Machin D. (1994). – Medical statistics: a
commonsense approach, 2nd Ed. John Wiley & Sons,
Chichester, 1-189.
8. Gaulier P.R., Blancou J.M., Bourdin P., Ribot J.J., Ramisse J. &
Serres H. (1972). – Contribution to the serological and
physio-pathological study of bovine streptothricosis [in
French]. Rev. Elev. Méd. vét. Pays trop., 25 (2), 171-185.
9. Gbodi T.A. (1980). – Serum mineral states of normal and
Dermatophilus congolensis infected Friesian calves. Bull. anim.
Hlth Prod. Afr., 28, 348-352.
10. Ilemobade A.A., Gyang E.O., Bida S.A. & Addo P.B. (1979).
– Cure of Dermatophilus congolensis infection in cattle by long-
acting oxytetracycline. Res. vet. Sci., 27 (3), 302-305.
11. Jain N.C. (ed.) (1986). – Schalm’s veterinary hematology, 4th
Ed. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia.
12. Kapu M.M. (1975). – Mineral composition of serum from
Dermatophilus congolensis infected zebu cattle under grazing
conditions in Nigeria. Niger. J. anim. Prod., 2, 247-253.
13. King E.G. & Wootton I.D.P. (1965). – Microanalysis in
medical biochemistry, 3rd Ed. J. & A. Churchill, London.
14. Lloyd D.H. (1976). – The economic effects of bovine
streptothricosis. In Dermatophilus infection of animals and
man. Proc. Symposium held at the University of Ibadan,
Nigeria, and sponsored by the Agricultural Research Council
of Nigeria (D.H. Lloyd & K.C. Sellers, eds). Academic Press,
London, 274-291.
15. Marchot P. & Leroy P. (1987). – A dermatophilosis outbreak
in southern Sudan treatment trial with terramycin long
activity. Ann. Rech. vét., 18 (1), 69-72.
16. Musa M.S. (2001). – Studies on bovine dermatophilosis in
southern Darfur State. Thesis for Master of Veterinary
Science, submitted to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Khartoum.
17. Ogwu D., Alhaji I. & Osori D.I. (1981). – Effectiveness
of long-acting terramycin injectable solution in the treatment
of streptothricosis in cattle. Br. vet. J., 137 (6), 585-589.
18. Payne W.J.A. (1990). – An introduction to animal husbandry
in the tropics, 4th Ed. Longman Group, London.
19. Quinn P.J., Carter M.E., Markey B. & Carter G.R. (eds)
(1999). – Clinical veterinary microbiology. Mosby,
Edinburgh.
20. Radostits O.M., Blood D.C. & Gay C.C. (eds) (1994). –
Veterinary medicine: a textbook of the diseases of cattle,
sheep, pigs, goats and horses, 8th Ed. Bailliere Tindall,
London.
21. Roberts D.H. (1967). – Dermatophilus infection (review). Vet.
Bull., 37, 513-521.
22. Soltys M.A. (1964). – Cutaneous streptothricosis in cattle in
the Sudan. Sudan J. vet. Sci. Anim. Husb., 5, 20-23.
23. Zaria L.T. (1993). – Dermatophilus congolensis infection
(Dermatophilosis) in animals and man: an update. Comp.
Immunol. Microbiol. infect. Dis., 16 (3), 179-222.