Emerging Infectious Diseases in Veterinary Dermatology

Diagnosis of emerging infectious diseases in veterinary dermatology is challenging due to the lack of diagnostic tests with high sensitivity and specificity. The increasing incidence and zoonotic nature of the infectious diseases are matters of concern for both the veterinarian and the physician. This chapter discusses clinical signs, diagnosis, and therapy for leishmaniasis, sporotrichosis, and bartonellosis. Canine and feline leishmaniasis are zoonotic diseases caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite from the genus Leishmania. A wide range of clinical manifestations, from subclinical or asymptomatic infection to severe or fatal illness, has been described in canine and feline leishmaniasis. Skin lesions are the most common clinical sign of canine and feline leishmaniasis. These changes can mimic a wide array of cutaneous diseases, including but not limited to squamous cell carcinoma, demodicosis, dermatophytosis, and sporotrichosis. Bartonellosis is a zoonotic disease and is currently one of the most important One Health challenges being addressed.