278/22 | Research Article | Veterinary Preventive Medicine

Comparative Efficacy of Three Stains for the Diagnosis of Canine Dermatophytosis

Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala

Abstract

Dermatophytosis was the predominant mycological infection in small animals characterised by a superficial skin infection restricted to keratinized epithelium caused by fungal species belonging to the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton characterised by generalised alopecia and scaling. A total of 114 dogs with skin lesions presented at Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Pookode, Wayanad from July 2021 to January 2022 were tested for dermatophytosis by culturing in dermatophyte test medium (DTM) and etiologies were identified by Lactophenol Cotton Blue, Chicago sky blue 6B and Calcofluor white staining. Efficacy of three stains in different external and internal features of fungal structures were compared by observing the mounts after allowing the stains to react for five minutes, 15 minutes and 30 minutes. Chicago sky blue staining was more efficient for the visualization of morphological and internal features of the fungi, when stain is allowed to react for 30 minutes.

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