While dermatophytoses of several animal species have been extensively investigated, information on their occurrence and epidemiology in rabbits is limited. We carried out a study from October 2006 to February 2007 of 23 rabbit farms in Apulia and Basilicata regions (southern Italy) in order to investigate the occurrence and risk factors associated with dermatophytoses in breeding rabbits. Dermatophytes were isolated from 86.9% (20/23) of the farms and from 51.8% (420/810) of the animals sampled. Trichophyton mentagrophytes (47.9%) and Microsporum canis (3.2%) were isolated from diseased (71.7%) and healthy (48.4%) animals as well from the surrounding environment (7.5%). The occurrence of lesions, the age of rabbits, and farm management (e.g., temperature, humidity and methods and frequency of disinfection practices) were identified as the most significant risk factors (P < 0.05) for the occurrence of dermatophytes. Animals in fattening and finishing stages were the most frequently infected (i.e., 58.2 and 61.6% respectively). Dermatophyte prevalence was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in areas with higher temperature (>20°C) and relative humidity ranging from 62-65%. The results of the present investigation suggest that zoonotic dermathophytes are present in rabbit farms and highlight the importance of correct management procedures for the control of the infections.

Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes are zoophilic dermatophytes which can cause skin infections in animals and humans. The clinical expression of this infection strongly varies depending on host, fungal species as well as enzyme production. No comparative studies are available on the enzymatic activities of M. canis and T. mentagrophytes isolated from breeding rabbits. Thus, the aim of this work was to assess the capability of M. canis and T. mentagrophytes isolated from rabbits both with and without lesions in producing different enzymes. The relationship of dermatophyte enzymatic activities and presence/absence of skin lesions has also been investigated. A total of 260 isolates of T. mentagrophytes and 25 isolates of M. canis sampled both from healthy and lesioned skin of rabbits, as well as from air samples of positive farms were examined. The results showed that T. mentagrophytes and M. canis from rabbits produce different enzymes. However, only elastase and gelatinase were linked to the appearance of lesions in T. mentagrophytes infections, whereas lipase in those by M. canis.

Over the last decades, reports on yeast infections in humans have increased especially with respect to immunocompromised individuals. Phospholipases are enzymes which may be associated with pathogenic processes caused by opportunistic yeasts. Phospholipase activity (ph.a.) was investigated in 163 isolates of 13 species of yeasts. A total of 133 isolates were obtained through the screening of a total of 768 cloacae of wild birds (Group I: 182 birds of prey; Group II: 165 passeriformes and Group III: 421 other wild migratory birds), while 30 isolates were recovered from the droppings of birds housed in 32 distinct aviaries (Group IV). Phospholipase production was evaluated and quantified at 2 and 5 day pre-incubation (Pr.t) and incubation times (I.t). Isolates from cloacae (48.1%) and excreta (73.3%) produced ph.a. with the highest values registered after 5 days of I.t. Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. lusitaniae, C. pelliculosa, Cryptococcus albidus, C. laurentii, Trichosporon beigelii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae displayed the highest ph.a. after 2 days of Pr.t while Candida famata, C. guilliermondii and Cryptococcus neoformans after 5 days of Pr.t. Ph.a. was never found in Rhodotorula rubra isolates recovered from the cloacae of wild birds. Isolates (73.3%) from bird droppings showed a higher ph.a. than those from cloacae thus indicating that wild birds not only act as carriers but may also spread phospholipase-producing yeasts in the environment.