The IgG and IgM classes of antibodies to a water-soluble antigen preparation derived from microsporum canis were determined by ELISA in the sera of 79 cats with dermatophytosis confirmed by results of fungal culture, and of 46 specific-pathogen-free-derived, barrier-maintained cats with no previous exposure to dermatophytes. Of the 79 cats with dermatophytosis, the species isolated were: M canis from 72, M gypseum from 6, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes from 1. Concentrations of soluble M canis antigen-specific IgG and IgM were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the cats with dermatophytosis than in the control cats. The IgG concentration was larger than or equal to 2.0 ELISA units/ ml in 71% of the cats with dermatophytosis and in 9% of the control cats, whereas IgM concentration was greater than or equal to 4.0 ELISA units/ml in 38% of the cats with dermatophytosis and in 11% of control cats. There was no significant difference in either IgG or IgM values between the cats with M canis infection and those with other non-M canis dermatophyte infections.

The fungal flora of the coat of 172 healthy pet cats was examined qualitatively. Fungi were isolated from 136 (79%) of the 172 cats. Fifteen genera were isolated; 13 are commonly regarded as saprophytes, and 2 (Microsporum and Trichophyton) are commonly regarded as pathogens. Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium, and Cladosporium spp were the most frequently isolated saprophytes. Dermatophytic fungi, including Microsporum gypseum (n = 1), M vanbreuseghemii (n = 1), and Trichophyton rubrum (n = 14), were recovered from 16 cats. Microsporum canis was not isolated from any cat during this study.

Investigation of connection of experimental trichophytosis and relations between changes of clinical implications of disease and dimensions of some immunological indexes was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. At the first stage of the experiment there analyzed 48 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) infected with Trichopyton verrucosum. Phagocytic ability of phagocytes and level of circulating antibodies in indirect hemagglutination test were investigated each 5 days before and during disease. The second stage was realized by the example of 2,5-6 months old calves. In course of study there were analyzed blood and blood serum indexes, indexes of nonspecific resistance, as well as some indexes of cell-mediated immune response and antibody mediated immunity. Comparative analysis the following morphological and biochemical blood indexes of clinically healthy calves, calves after trichophytosis, and calves sick with mild, moderate and severe of disease were presented: erythrocytes; hemoglobin; leukocytes; basophils; eosinophiles; rods; microxyphils; lymphocytes; monocytes; ESR; total albumin; albumins; alpha globulins; beta globulins; gamma globulins; carotene; calcium; inorganic phosphorous; alkaline reserve; copper. The realized experiment made it possible to conclude that determination intensity of leukocyte absorption of microconidia of the agent, antibodies against the agent, and specific for cytoplasm fungus, morphological and biochemical blood indexes made it possible to control the development of inflammatory phenomenon in centers of infection, as well as to predict the formation of face, infiltrative and suppurant disease forms