Dermatophytoses in domesticated animals

Abstract

Dermatophytes are among the most frequent causes of ringworm infections in domesticated animals. They are known to serve as reservoirs of the zoophilic dermatophytes and these infections have important zoonotic implication. In Nigeria and probably West Africa, there are not many studies on the incidence of dermatophytosis in domesticated animals. In the current study, 538 domesticated animals with clinically suggestive lesions were investigated for dermatophytes. Identification of dermatophyte species was performed by macro- and micro morphological examination of colonies and by biochemical methods. In the cases of isolates that had atypical morphology and/or biochemical test results, the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS 2) sequencing was performed. Out of this number, 214 (39.8%) were found to be colonized by a variety of ten species of dermatophytes. M. canis was the most frequently isolated species (37.4%), followed by T. mentagrophytes (22.9%) and T. verrucosum (15.9%). M. persicolor and T. gallinae were jointly the least species isolated with a frequency of 0.55% respectively. The recovery of dermatophyte isolates previously shown to be common etiological agents of dermatophytosis especially from children in the same region suggests that animal to human transmission may be common. Possible implications and recommendations are discussed.

Dermatophytosis in an adult cattle due to Trichophyton verrucosum

“…Some of the dermatophytes are isolated from the soil [11] and hence, infection can also be acquired from such saprobic reservoirs [3]. The disease is encountered in humans and also in many species of animals, such ascat, dog, cattle, camel, goat, buffalo, sheep, horse, pig, deer, monkey, bear, rabbit, etc [3,7,[12][13][14][15][16][17]. The paucity of published available information on animal ringworm in Meerut region of Uttar Pradesh,India prompted the author to elucidate the etiologic role of dermatophytes in cutaneous lesions of an adult bovine.…”

Colonización por dermatofitos en conejos mantenidos en tiendas de mascotas de Santiago de Chile

“…Las dermatofitosis son afecciones cutáneas causadas por hongos filamentosos denominados dermatofitos, capaces de invadir y permanecer en tejidos queratinizados, tales como el estrato córneo de la piel, pelos y uñas; utilizando como principal fuente de energía la queratina (1)(2)(3)(4). Actualmente estos hongos pertenecen a la familia Arthrodermataceae, la cual incluye 9 géneros, filogenética y morfológicamente bien definidos (5), dentro de los cuales Microsporum y Trichophyton son los responsables de la mayoría de las infecciones descritas en animales de compañía y exóticos, tales como perros, gatos, conejos, cuyes, hurones y erizos (1)(2)(3)(4)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13).…”

“…Actualmente estos hongos pertenecen a la familia Arthrodermataceae, la cual incluye 9 géneros, filogenética y morfológicamente bien definidos (5), dentro de los cuales Microsporum y Trichophyton son los responsables de la mayoría de las infecciones descritas en animales de compañía y exóticos, tales como perros, gatos, conejos, cuyes, hurones y erizos (1)(2)(3)(4)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Los que al convivir en estrecha relación con seres humanos impactan negativamente en su salud, por el riesgo de transmisión de estos hongos desde un animal infectado o colonizado (4,6,13).…”

“…Dermatophytoses are cutaneous diseases caused by filamentous fungi called dermatophytes, capable of invading and remaining in keratinized tissues, such as the stratum corneum of the skin, hair and nails; using keratin as their main source of energy (1)(2)(3)(4).…”

“…Currently these fungi belong to the family Arthrodermataceae, which includes 9 well defined phylogenetically and morphologically genera (5), within which Microsporum and Trichophyton are responsible for most of the infections described in pets and exotic animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and hedgehogs (1)(2)(3)(4)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Those that live in a close relationship with human beings have a negative impact on their health, due to the risk of transmitting these fungi from an infected or colonized animal (4,6,13).…”