Dermatopatias fúngicas em cães e gatos: estudo retrospectivo no hospital veterinário da UFPB (Areia/Pb), 2020-2024

Abstract

The skin is the largest organ of the body, providing protection against chemical, physical, and microbiological insults; however, its constant exposure to external factors makes it susceptible to dermatopathies, which account for 20 to 75% of veterinary visits in small animals. Among the etiological agents, fungi stand out, including Microsporum spp., Trichophyton spp., Malassezia spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, and Sporothrix schenckii, capable of causing a variety of clinical manifestations. Diagnosis involves the combination of clinical signs, patient history, and laboratory tests such as cytology, fungal culture, and, in some cases, the Wood’s lamp. The present study aimed to conduct a retrospective survey of fungal dermatopathies in dogs and cats attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Paraíba – Campus II, between 2020 and 2024. This was a descriptive, quantitative, and retrospective study, analyzing 1,325 clinical records, which included data on origin, sex, age, breed, housing system, reproductive status, clinical signs, main complaint, and isolated fungal agent. The data were organized in electronic spreadsheets and analyzed using descriptive statistics, considering absolute and relative frequencies, and cases with multiple dermatopathies were counted separately. The year 2023 showed the highest number of suspected cases, while the highest positivity rate was recorded in 2022. In contrast, 2020 and 2021 presented the lowest incidence rates, possibly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to HV/UFPB services. In dogs, fungal otitis caused by Malassezia spp. was the most frequent dermatopathy, followed by cutaneous malasseziosis, whereas in cats, sporotrichosis and fungal otitis predominated. Young adult animals (1– 5 years) and mixed-breed individuals were the most affected, with Poodles and Siamese cats being the

most prevalent breeds in dogs and cats, respectively. Dogs accounted for 77% of diagnoses, and co- infections were observed in some cases. Geographical distribution showed a concentration of cases in

Areia/PB, followed by neighboring municipalities and the capital, indicating the influence of access to specialized HV/UFPB services. Only sporotrichosis and cryptococcosis showed significant sex differences, affecting males and females, respectively. These results provide important information on epidemiological patterns, predisposing factors, and high-risk regions, contributing to early diagnosis, appropriate clinical management, and preventive strategies for fungal dermatopathies in small animals. The retrospective survey reinforces the importance of epidemiological surveillance of mycoses in veterinary clinics, especially in tropical regions, due to their zoonotic potential and public health impact.