An Over View of Feline Dermatophytosis

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection of hair and keratinized layers of the epidermis and is caused by keratinophilic and keratinolytic genera such as Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton. It is an endemic infection in many countries throughout the world affecting companion animals (dogs, cats), domestic animals (calves), and laboratory animals (rabbits) as well as humans. In cats M. canis is responsible for approximately 98% of the observed dermatophyte infections in indoor cats, whereas cats carrying T. mentagrophytes are usually hunters, indicating that the natural source of this species is either the soil or rodent prey.

A review: the prevalence of dermatophytosis on cats in Indonesia and Turkey

“…Microsporum canis were the most isolated pathogen of the dermatophytepositive cats while other species such as Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum pericolor and Trichophyton sp. have been recorded but rarely isolated [4].…”

“…Dermatophyte arthrospores may be spread directly from infected cats or passively when healthy cats have indirect contact with contaminated collars, toys, brushes, environments or socializing with asymptomatic cats. Owing to the adhesion of the arthrospores to the hair shaft, the pathogen is easily transferred from one location to another [4].…”

Occurrence of dermatophytosis in dogs from Thrissur, Kerala

“…It is widespread in warm, humid, tropical and subtropical environments. Zoophilic dermatophytes infect animal hosts and are rarely found in soil (Abdalla and Wisal, 2018). Anthropophilic fungi can infect humans and animals, but cannot survive in soil and includes Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum (Moriello et al, 2017).…”