Treatment of Ringworm in Cats

June 3, 2009

Mancianti, F., S. Dabizzi, et al. (2009). “A lufenuron pre-treatment may enhance the effects of enilconazole or griseofulvin in feline dermatophytosis?” Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 11(2): 91-95.

In this study performed at the University of Pisa, Italy, the effect of pre-treatment with lufenuron on the effectiveness of enilconazole or griseofulvin for the treatment of feline ringworm was studied. Ringworm in cats is most commonly caused by the fungal agent, Microsoporum canis. A variety of treatment options have been recommended over the years, including both topical and systemic drugs. Lufenuron is a drug that interferes with chitin synthesis and is most commonly used to prevent flea infestations. It has also been proposed as an alternative treatment for ringworm, but with highly variable results when used as a sole agent. Lufenuron was given at 100 mg/kg biweekly for 8 weeks to 38 M. canis infected cats. Group A cats (13) were only treated with lufenuron. In Group B, 11 cats were pre-treated with lufenuron, and then treated with four weekly rinses of enilconazole (0.2% solution). In Group C, 14 cats were pre-treated with lufenuron, and then treated with oral griseofulvin at 50 mg/kg twice daily for 40 days. Twelve cats were used as controls in that they were given griseofulvin (7 cats) or enilconazole (5 cats), but not lufenuron. All cats except one given lufenuron alone were still infected at day 60. The authors conclude that lufenuron alone was found to be ineffective, but may have an immunomodulatory effect as a pre-treatment combined with other drugs. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Nuttall, T. J., A. J. German, et al. (2008). “Successful resolution of dermatophyte mycetoma following terbinafine treatment in two cats.” Veterinary Dermatology 19(6): 405-410.
>> PubMed Abstract

Sharma, R., S. de Hoog, et al. (2007). “A virulent genotype of Microsporum canis is responsible for the majority of human infections.” J Med Microbiol 56(10): 1377-85.
>> PubMed Abstract