Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low zinc and vitamin C in dogs with skin fungal infection
By Beigh, S A et al.·Published in Mycoses·2014·Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, India·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of trace elements, oxidant/antioxidant status, vitamin C and β-carotene in dogs with dermatophytosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with skin infections caused by fungi (dermatophytosis) were found to have lower levels of important nutrients like zinc, copper, vitamin C, and beta-carotene compared to healthy dogs. These deficiencies may affect the dogs' ability to fight off infections and maintain healthy skin. The study also noted that the dogs with these infections had higher levels of iron and a substance linked to cell damage. Understanding these changes can help veterinarians better manage skin infections in dogs.
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Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine zinc, copper and iron levels, erythrocyte oxidant/antioxidant status, vitamin C and β-carotene in dogs with dermatophytosis. A total of 23 dogs with clinically established diagnosis of dermatophytosis by trichogram and positive fungal culture and six dogs as control were included in this study. On cultural examination 52.17% fungal isolates were found to be Microsporum canis, 30.43% were Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 17.39% were M. gypseum. In comparison to healthy control, the dogs with dermatophytosis had significantly lower levels of zinc (P < 0.01), copper (P < 0.05), β-carotene and vitamin C levels (P < 0.05) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P < 0.05) and catalase (P < 0.01), whereas the iron (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.01) levels were significantly increased. On correlation analysis, SOD activity was observed to be positively correlated (P < 0.05) with zinc and copper in both healthy and dermatophytosis affected dogs. In dermatophytosis affected dogs the MDA levels were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with iron, β-carotene levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes; SOD and catalase. Our results demonstrated that dermatophytosis in dogs is associated with significant alteration in oxidant/antioxidant balance and trace elements. It might be secondary consequence of dermatophytosis infection or contributing factor in its pathogenesis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24329950/