Abstract
Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is an infection that is zoonotic, caused by the dermatophyte fungus, which infects both animals and humans, affecting the skin, hair, or nails. Both public health and veterinary practices are severely at risk from this disease. This research attempted to determine the dermatophyte prevalence in domestic cats from Some Regions of Al-Anbar Province, Iraq. In the Iraqi province of Al-Anbar, between August 2025 and January 2026, research which was cross-sectional was conducted in many veterinary clinics in the cities of Ramadi, Fallujah, Hit, Anah, and Rawah. Skin scrapes and hair samples were collected from cats with skin lesions. A total of 100 samples were collected, cultured on DTM for fungal isolation using macroscopic, microscopic, and chemical testing (urease tests), and then subsequently confirmed by molecular testing. The prevalence of dermatophyte infection was 52% in all the cat samples. The most prevalent dermatophyte, Microsporum canis, was isolated in 45% of cases, while Trichophyton mentagrophytes was observed in just 7%. This study shows that Al-Anbar province has an elevated rate of feline dermatophytosis, with Microsporum canis as the major causative agent and Trichophyton mentagrophytes as the rare causative agent. Molecular confirmation, in conjunction with conventional mycological methods, is a useful diagnostic technique for precise identification of species. Improved monitoring, early molecular recognition, and specialized management steps are necessary to lower inter-species transmission and pollution of the environment, as is apparent by the geographical distribution pattern and occurrence between young felines.

Key words: cats, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, some areas of Al-Anbar province, Iraq, and molecular identification