An outbreak of atypical dermatophilosis mixed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a sheep herd after dipping

Dermatophilosis is a bacterial skin infection and wet conditionslike, raining and dipping predispose sheep to it. A greateconomic loss can be caused by this disease because of its effecton the quality of wool. In Iran (near Saveh), there was an outbreakof the disease in a herd and the clinical manifestation wasdifferent from that of typical dermatophilosis. Diffuse wide alopecicarea accompanied by large amount of purulent dischargeswere seen. The main lesions were located at the thoracicarea. Secondary infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosaand bacteremia caused by staphylococcus was diagnosed andis considered to be the cause of 0.16% mortality.For diagnosisblood samples were obtained for CBC, and bacteriologicalculture and direct smear were taken from skin lesions. Biopsywas also prepared from skin lesions for histopathologic studyand bacteriologic culture. Direct microscopic examination wasmade on Giemsa-stained smear prepared from crusts and theirunderlying tissue. Gram stained smear was also prepared fromunderlying crusts of skin. After bacteriological and histopathologicalevaluation, Dermatophilus was determined. A typicalrailroad track of Gram positive bacteria was seen in Gram andGiemsa stained smear. Filamentous bacteria in the epidermiswere seen in histopathological samples. Infection was controlledby treating herd intramuscularly with 70,000 mg/kg BWprocaine penicillin G, twice daily for 5 consecutive days.

Keywords:

dermatophilosis , dipping , rain , sheep , skin