Cattle Dermatophilus congolensis infection in the French West Indies. I. Lesions and serological response characteristics

Abstract

A survey of 276 animals affected by dermatophilosis in the French West Indies shows that 90 % of diseased animals have « upper » lesions, 65 % « lower » lesions and 30 % atypical lesions. Upper lesions seem to constitute the first main localization while lower and atypical forms develop more rapidly and are usually fatal. None of the factors under study: preferential tick fixation sites, sunshine, presence of thorny plants, humid soil can explain the lesions localizations. The analysis of 135 serums showed that there is a close relationship between lesions and antibodies in the serum, and a proportional relationship between the serum titre and the lesions severity. Some atypical serological reactions seem to reveal existence of asymptomatic carrier animals, others allow to suspect existence of immune deficiency phenomenon.