Circulating redox status in sheep infected with dermatophytes: a field study

Abstract Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic mycotic infection of the skin caused by dermatophytes. The present study aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress (OS) and redox status in blood of sheep clinically infected with the dermatophyte, Trichophyton verrucosum. According to clinical and mycological investigations, 48 juvenile male Balady sheep were selected in their natural habitat and divided into four groups depending on lesions size: mild (MID), moderate (MOD), severe T. verrucosum infection (SEV) and healthy control groups. Compared to the controls, plasma superoxide anion increased (P < 0.05) in both MOD and SEV but total peroxides (TPx) gradually increased (P < 0.05) in MID followed by MOD and SEV. Superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were higher (P < 0.05) in MID and lower (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV than in controls, but SEV showed lower TAC than MOD. Malondialdehyde (MDA, a lipid peroxide marker) increased (P < 0.05) in SEV than in controls but protein carbonyl (PC, protein peroxidation marker) was augmented (P < 0.05) as lesions progressed from mild to severe. oxidative stress index (TPx/TAC ratio) progressively increased (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV. The correlation of PC was positive with TPx and negative with TAC (P < 0.01). In conclusion, sheep infection with T. verrucosum is characterized by increased TPx and decreased TAC in plasma depending on the lesion area. The redox status is shifted towards the oxidizing state especially in MOD and SEV cases resulting in a condition of OS, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.