Dermatophytes are the group of keratinophilic fungi that cause superficial cutaneous infection, which traditionally belong to the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Dermatophyte infection is not only a threat to the health of small animals, but also an important zoonotic and public health issue because of the potential transmission from animals to humans. Rabbit dermatophytosis is often clinically identified; however, limited information was found in Asia. The aims of this study are to investigate the prevalence and to evaluate the risk factors of dermatophytosis in pet rabbits in Northern Taiwan. Between March 2016 and October 2018, dander samples of pet rabbits were collected for fungal infection examination by Wood’s lamp, microscopic examination (KOH preparation), fungal culture, and PCR assay (molecular identification). Z test and Fisher’s exact test were performed to evaluate the potential risk factors, and logistic regression analysis was then performed to build the model of risk factors related to dermatophyte infection. Of the collected 250 dander samples of pet rabbits, 29 (11.6%) samples were positive for dermatophytes by molecular identification. In those samples, 28 samples were identified as the T. mentagrophytes complex and 1 sample was identified as M. canis. Based on the results of the Firth’s bias reduction logistic analyses, animal source (rabbits purchased from pet shops) and number of rearing rabbits (three rabbits or more) were shown as the main risks for dermatophyte infection in the pet rabbits in Taiwan. The results of the present study elucidate the prevalence of rabbit dermatophyte infection, pathogens, and risk factors in Taiwan, and provide an important reference for the prevention and control of rabbit dermatophytosis.

The presented scoping review summarizes the available research evidence and identifies gaps in knowledge for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) prevention. Published literature on BRD from 1990 to April 2021 was searched in online databases, including Medline, CAB Abstracts, Scopus, Biosis, and Searchable Proceedings of Animal Conferences. Citations were systematically evaluated in a three-stage approach using commercial software and summarized in a scoping review format. A total of 265 publications were included in this review with herd/farm management (27.9%) as the most prevalent factors studied, followed by metaphylaxis (24.5%), vaccinations (24.1%), diet formulations, and nutritional supplementations (17.7%), animal characteristics (10.2%), and less common interventions and risk factors (6.4%). A high proportion of studies under herd/farm management (73%), metaphylaxis (86%), vaccinations (70%), animal characteristics (78%), and less common interventions and risk factors (59%) showed either significant effects on reducing BRD morbidity or significant differences of BRD between treatments. However, diet and nutritional supplementations reduced BRD only in 30% of research publications. Most studies on BRD were performed in feedlot populations, and more studies in cow–calf populations are needed. We further suggest meta-analyses on the use of yeast and trace mineral supplementation, and nitric oxide-releasing solution for BRD prevention.