Evaluation of trace elements, oxidant/antioxidant status, vitamin C and β-carotene in dogs with dermatophytosis.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine zinc, copper and iron levels, erythrocyte oxidant/antioxidant status, vitamin C and &#x3b2;-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&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01), copper (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05), &#x3b2;-carotene and vitamin C levels (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) and catalase (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01), whereas the iron (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01) levels were significantly increased. On correlation analysis, SOD activity was observed to be positively correlated (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) with zinc and copper in both healthy and dermatophytosis affected dogs. In dermatophytosis affected dogs the MDA levels were negatively correlated (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) with iron, &#x3b2;-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.