Fungal microbiota of the hair coat of laboratory animals

Abstract

With the refining of handling techniques for laboratory animals kept in animal rooms in which different work rules are followed, it is fundamental to evaluate the microbiota of the raising environment, as well as of the animals in this environment. It is known that several saprobe fungi are isolated from hair and skin of experimental animals, being potentially pathogenic in specific situations. The aim of this research was to determine the fungal microbiota on the coats of laboratory animals from the Central Animal Room of the University of Ceará. Samples of hair and skin of 355 healthy animals (150 rats, 150 mice, 40 guinea pigs and 15 hamsters) were analyzed. Samples were collected by vigorously brushing the back of the animals and then cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose and Mycosel agar. Species identification was based on the analysis of the macroscopic appearance of colonies and microscopy features of the fungi. Development of fungi was observed in 63.95% of the animals. The most frequent fungi were: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (34.7%), Aspergillus sp. (30%) and Penicillium sp. (16.7%). In conclusion, fungal microbiota on coat of these animals is diversified, and saprobe fungi occurs in a great number of experimental animals.Keywords: fungal microbiota, coat, laboratory animals. ResumoCom o afinamento das técnicas de manejo de animais de laboratório mantidos em biotérios que seguem diferentes normas de trabalho, é fundamental que se avalie a microbiota dos ambientes de criação, bem como dos animais que deles fazem parte. É sabido que várias espécies fúngicas sapróbias são isoladas da pele e pelos de animais experimentais, podendo em situações específicas ser potencialmente patogênicas. A presente pesquisa objetivou conhecer a microbiota fúngica da pelagem de animais de laboratório do Biotério Central da UECE. Para tanto, foram analisadas amostras de pele e pelos de 355 animais clinicamente saudáveis (150 ratos, 150 camundongos, 40 cobaias e 15 hamsters). As amostras foram coletadas mediante escovação vigorosa do dorso desses animais e semeadas em ágar Sabouraud dextrose e ágar Mycosel, sendo a identificação das espécies baseada na análise das características macro e microscópicas das colônias fúngicas. Houve o desenvolvimento de fungos em 63,95% dos animais. Os fungos mais incidentes foram: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (34,7%), Aspergillus sp. (30%) e Penicillium sp. (16,7%). Frente aos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que a microbiota fúngica da pelagem desses animais é bem diversificada, ficando evidente a ocorrência de fungos sapróbios em grande número de animais experimentais.Palavras-chave: microbiota fúngica, pelagem, animais de laboratório.

Isolation of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis from Wistar Rats

“…Mantovani et al (1982) described this phenomenon as "animalization". Animal age, sex, and housing climate were found to be factors in previously described S. brevicaulis infections (Couto et al 2014); however, these were not significant factors in this study.…”

Scopulariopsis brevicaulis fungal outbreak in laboratory rats

“…The presence of S. brevicaulis was also observed in animals without any clinical sign which indicates the possibility of positive carriers in their coat. Similarly, one study reported that the S. brevicaulis was found in 36 animals out of 79 asymptomatic animals analyzed 22 .…”

“…According to these information, animal age, sex and housing environment conditions were found to be factors in previously described S. brevicaulis infections 22 . However, Pires et al 10 did not observe sex preference in a similar outbreak seen in mice from a breeding facility.…”

Biology and Diseases of Guinea Pigs

“…A normal stomach inhabitant, Torulopsis pintolopesii, may cause an enteritis (Kunstýř et al, 1980). may be part of the fungal microbiota of the guinea pig's haircoat (Couto et al, 2010). may be part of the fungal microbiota of the guinea pig's haircoat (Couto et al, 2010).…”