Isolation of fungi from the pelage of cats and dogs using the hairbrush technique

Development of enzyme immunoassays (ELISA and Western blot) for the serological diagnosis of dermatophytosis in symptomatic and asymptomatic cats

Dermatophytosis is the most common fungal infection in cats worldwide and plays an important role in both animal and human health due to their high zoonotic potential. Effective screening is a strong preventive measure and the fungal culture is quite useful but requires full laboratorial experience and it takes a long time to obtain the result. A rapid and accurate screening test for dermatophytosis in cats is crucial for the effective control of disease outbreaks. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of enzyme immunoassays (ELISA and Western blot [WB]) for the rapid and precise diagnosis of dermatophytosis in cats. Seventy cats of various ages were divided into three groups: S (symptomatic, n = 20), AS (asymptomatic, n = 30), and N (negative, n = 20). All animals were submitted to fungal culture and blood samples for carrying out the serological tests. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between IgG-specific levels of sera of Microsporum canis positive and negative animals. There was no statistic difference between groups symptomatic and asymptomatic. The ELISA test showed sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 75%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis also showed higher diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.925). The WB technique detected 13 bands, and the 50 kDa protein was considered the most immunogenic protein, observing reactivity in 83.3% in the symptomatic group and 66.6% in the asymptomatic group. The study concluded that ELISA and WB were useful tools to reliably detect cats that have been exposed to M. canis.

Disseminated Chrysosporium infection in a German shepherd dog

Disseminated Chrysosporium spp. infection was diagnosed in a German shepherd dog based on a positive fungal culture and cytological findings of intralesional fungi associated with granulomatous splenitis and neutrophilic lymphadenitis. The clinical presentation that could mimic a multicentric lymphoma, including markedly enlarged lymph nodes and a very abnormal splenic appearance on ultrasound makes this case even more atypical. The patient showed rapid clinical improvement on oral posaconazole and remains clinically stable ten months after diagnosis.

Dermatophytoses in cats and humans in central Italy: epidemiological aspects

Two hundred hair/skin samples were collected from 2002 to 2004 from two groups of cats (privately owned and stray cats from a shelter) and 165 samples were obtained during the same period from persons in whom dermatophyte infection was highly suspected. The epidemiological data were statistically evaluated. Thirteen of the 100 privately owned cats (13%) and 100% of the stray cats were positive; of the 165 human samples examined 109 (66%) were positive for dermatophytes. Microsporum canis was the most common dermatophyte isolated in both cat groups while Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the most common in humans. Interestingly, a geophylic dermatophyte species (Microsporum gypseum) was found to be present and associated with clinical signs. Living in the countryside proved to be a risk factor for dermatophytoses in privately owned cats while in humans the main risk factor for M. canis was contact with animals followed by young age. None of the variables considered was associated with positivity for T. mentagrophytes while positivity for other fungi was correlated with life in the countryside.

Workplace exposure to bioaerosols in pet shops, pet clinics, and flower gardens

The present study evaluated exposure to bioaerosols at three different types of facilities (pet shops, pet clinics, and flower gardens) by measuring the bacterial, fungal and/or PM(10) concentrations in indoor and outdoor air. Regardless of the season, the total bacteria and total fungi were detected for all samples, whereas the fungal genera were not. The bioaerosol concentrations measured in the flower gardens were significantly higher than those of the pet shops and pet clinics. The mean microbial concentrations at the three types of facilities were close to or exceeded the Korean indoor bioaerosol guidelines (800 CFU m(-3)), thus suggesting the need for remedial action regarding indoor microorganisms, in order to reduce the exposure at the surveyed facilities. Another suggestion was that contrary to the airborne microbes, flower gardens are not an important microenvironment for PM(10) (particulate matter 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter) exposure. Two temporal characteristics (seasonal variation and the summer survey period) were important regarding exposure to airborne microbes, depending upon the type of facility surveyed, microbial or sample types, whereas the sampling time of the day was not. The microbial concentration ratio of indoor air to outdoor air depended upon the facility and season.

Canine dermatophytosis caused by an anthropophilic species: molecular and phenotypical characterization of Trichophyton tonsurans

Microsporum canis is the most common species isolated from canine and feline dermatophytosis in the world. However, this study reports a rare case of canine dermatophytosis caused by the anthropophilic dermatophyte Trichophyton tonsurans in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The fungal characterization was performed by classical mycological examination and by genotypical analysis using the restriction enzymes Sau3A, RsaI, DdeI and EcoRI. The phenotypical characteristics were compatible with T. tonsurans. The results obtained in the genotypical analysis were similar to the digestion pattern of the ITS sequences for T. tonsurans strains. In addition, an antifungal susceptibility test was performed with griseofulvin, ketoconazole and itraconazole. The MICs were 0.5 microg ml(-1) for griseofulvin, 0.25 microg ml(-1) for ketoconazole and 1 microg ml(-1) for itraconazole. This study emphasizes the adaptability of anthropophilic fungi such as T. tonsurans to animal conditions.

The epidemiology of canine and feline dermatophytoses in southern Italy

A total of 424 animals (268 dogs and 156 cats) with skin lesions (alopecia and peripheral scaling) were examined from January 1999 to December 2002. Of the 424 samples examined, 99 (23.3%) yielded a positive culture and, in particular, 20.5% of the dog samples and 28.2% of the cat samples. Microsporum canis was the most common dermatophyte isolated from dogs and cats (77.7%), followed by geophilic dermatophyte species (M. gypseum, Trichophyton terrestre). Young dogs and cats, especially those younger than 1 year, showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of M. canis infection than older animals. No statistically significant association was found between infection and sex in cats, while male dogs were more affected by dermatophytes. Among breeds, Yorkshire terriers showed the highest positivity (50%) caused mainly by M. canis (46.6%), while no differences were noticed for cats. A significantly higher prevalence of positive samples was registered in summer and in autumn for cats. The presence of dermatophytes was not associated with itching. The diagnostic value of Wood's lamp fluorescence and microscopic examination proved to be scarce compared with fungal cultures as only 45.5% of the 77 samples that tested positive for M. canis at the cultural examination was positive under Wood's lamp florescence and 53.2% at microscopic examination.

Dermatophytes isolated from symptomatic dogs and cats in Tuscany, Italy during a 15-year-period

Between January, 1, 1986 and December, 31, 2000, dermatological specimens from 10.678 animals (7.650 cats and 3.028 dogs) were examined for dermatophytes. All the animals presented clinical signs of ringworm. Two thousand-four hundred fifty-six of the 10.678 (23%) examined animals scored positive for dermatophytes, 566 out of 3.028 canine (18.7%) and 1890 out of 7.650 feline specimens (24.7%). Microsporum canis constituted 83% and 97% of the isolated dermatophytes respectively in dogs and cats, M. gypseum represented 13% and 2.6% and T. mentagrophytes 5.5% and 0.2%. A sexual predisposition for mycotic infections was not observed. The animals with less than 1 year of age were more frequently infected. Canine toy breeds showed a significantly higher (P < 0.001) prevalence of infections by M. canis. Microsporum gypseum was mostly recorded from sporting (hunting) breeds [such as T. mentagrophytes (6.7%)]. Microsporum canis was isolated from long-haired cats with a ratio of 2:1 versus short-haired cats, while M. gypseum and T. mentagrophytes were never recovered from Persian cats. The annual distribution of the infections in dogs showed a significantly higher incidence for M. gypseum in summer versus winter and spring, while the recovery rate of M. canis from cats was very significantly higher in fall and winter than in summer and spring. Trichophyton mentagrophytes did not show a similar seasonal distribution.

Dermatophytes and saprobe fungi isolated from dogs and cats in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil

The possible involvement of saprobe fungi in dermatomycoses, as well as the determination of the incidence of dermatophytes in dogs and cats were studied. During a period of one year, 74 dogs and 18 cats, with cutaneous lesions suggesting mycoses were included in this study. The mycological analyses were conducted by direct microscopy and by fungal culture on Sabouraud agar, chloramphenicol Sabouraud agar and mycosel agar. Of the 92 samples, 21 resulted in positive cultures for dermatophytes. Dermatophyte fungi pure cultures were obtained from 13 samples. A simultaneous growth of dermatophytes plus saprobe fungi was observed in 8 of the samples. Of the remaining 71 samples, no fungal growth was observed in 10 samples, and at minimum the growth of one saprobe fungi in 61. One, two and three genera of saprobe fungi were isolated in 29, 30 and 2 samples, respectively. Microsporum canis was isolated in 6 (28.6 %) and 10 samples (47.6 %) from cats and dogs, respectively, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 2 (9.5 %) and 3 samples (14.3 %) from cats and dogs, respectively. The following genera of saprobe fungi were also isolated: Alternaria sp (1.9%), Chaetomium sp (1.9%), Rhizopus sp (2.9%), Curvularia sp (3.9%), Candida sp (6.8%), Trichoderma sp (6.8%), Fusarium sp (7.8%), Cladosporium sp (8.7%), Penicillium sp (21.4%) and Aspergillus sp (37.9%).