Hermoso de Mendoza M, Hermoso de Mendoza J, Alonso JM, Rey JM, Sanchez S, Martin R, Bermejo F, Cortes M, Benitez JM, Garcia WL, Garcia-Sanchez A. A zoonotic ringworm outbreak caused by a dysgonic strain of Microsporum canis from stray cats.
Rev Iberoam Micol 2010;
27:62-5. [PMID:
20346301 DOI:
10.1016/j.riam.2009.12.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2009] [Accepted: 12/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Cats are frequent carriers of Microsporum canis and veterinary students are at high risk of exposure and acquisition of the organism a la infección.
OBJECTIVES
An outbreak of zoonotic ringworm carried by a litter of stray cats is described. Four veterinary students, four dogs, and six cats living in five separate locations were affected. All had direct or indirect contact with the infected kitten litter. We tried to identify the causal dermatophyte.
METHODS
Conventional and mycological culture methods were used.
RESULTS
Microscopic features of scrapings and hairs treated with 20% KOH strongly suggested a M. canis etiology, and a diagnosis of ringworm was empirically supported by successful treatment of humans and animals. Nevertheless, cultures failed to show the expected morphology.
CONCLUSIONS
Culture features of our strain are compared with those described by other authors for dysgonic M. canis strains. Epidemiological features are also discussed.
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