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Russian Vaccine Helps Protect British Cattle Against Ring Worm

Posted on: Saturday, 1 April 2006, 06:00 CST

There appears to be an upsurge in the incidence of fungal skin disease in cattle this year.

Ringworm is an infection of the skin and hair fibres by the fungal agent Trichophton verrucosum in the majority of cases, although occasional cases may be caused by Microsporum bovis. It is one of the most common and well-recognised skin diseases of cattle in the UK, sheep can also be infected but less commonly. The disease is usually seen in younger cattle, especially during winter housing, but outbreaks can and do occur in adults.

The disease tends to affect herds in waves, depending on their immune status. In the first year, all classes and age of stock can be affected, but when it reappears the next year it tends to just affect the young stock. By the third year it appears to be disappearing or settling to a low but irritating level, it then often vanishes only to reappear with a vengeance two or three years later.

This condition is transmissible to humans, with children particularly at risk. Once puberty is reached the pH of skin drops to around 4.0, and this increases the resistance to infection, although cases still commonly occur.

Infection can be spread from animal to animal but contamination of buildings etc by fungal spores is probably the most common route. The spores can survive for years in cold and damp conditions and once buildings (especially those built of wood) are contaminated, the infection persists. Thorough cleaning with pressure washers and the use of detergents and disinfectants are claimed to be effective, 2% formaldehyde and creosote have also been used. The initial cleaning before application of any of these treatments is of the utmost importance.

The lesions are greyish white, initially circular and slightly raised above the skin surface, itching is not a common feature. In calves, areas are generally seen around the eyes, ears and along the back, but in adults the legs and chest are more commonly affected. Occasionally lesions are seen on the udder. The disease is considered to be self-limiting with spontaneous recovery in two to six months in most cases.

Treatment options are relatively narrow using conventional drugs now that the in-feed medication, griseofulvin, has been removed from use in food producing animals. Topical preparations are available for application direct to the lesions. These certainly help speed up resolution of the condition, but a small number of resistant strains do exist. Your vet will be able to advise you. Homeopathic treatments are available and many farmers are happy with the results.

A vaccine developed in the former Soviet Union is available in the UK as a course of two injections at an interval of 10-14 days. No boosters are required as the immunity tends to be for life.

Source: The Journal - Newcastle-upon-Tyne

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