The first case of onychomycosis in a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) due to atypical isolates of Microsporum gypseum, a diagnostic challenge

Abstract

Background and Purpose:Superficial mycotic infections have been only poorly described in koalas and there are no reliable mycologically confirmed data regarding clinical isolation of dermatophytes in this animal. We report an 11-year-old female koala, kept in a zoo in Tokyo, Japan, and presenting with hyperkeratotic lesions and scaly plaques on forepaw claws and pads reminiscent of fungal infection. Case Report:Direct microscopy of the scrapings was indicative of a dermatophyte infection. By culture and subsequent repeated subculturing of clinical specimens on Sabouraud dextrose agar, Mycobiotic agar, and potato dextrose agar, two distinct strains with different colony morphotypes (designed as types I and II) were identified. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the strains were suggestive of three different species, i.e. Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, and M. fulvum. However, partial sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, translation elongation factor-1α (Tef-1α), and beta-tubulin (BT2) genes confirmed the identity of both isolates as M. gypseum. The animal was treated with a continuous terbinafine regimen (250 mg/kg) once daily for 12 weeks.Conclusion:To the best of our knowledge, the present report is the first confirmed case of dermatophytosis in a koala. The genetics underlying a variety of phenotypic traits in most classical dermatophyte species are unknown, and further studies are needed to understand this phenomenon.

Molecular Epidemiology, Genetic Diversity, and Antifungal Susceptibility of Major Pathogenic Dermatophytes Isolated From Human Dermatophytosis

“…At present, the sequence database of the ITS region is considered to be the gold standard for dermatophytes (Graser et al, 2008;Anzawa et al, 2011). Sequencing of the Beta-tubulin (BT2), translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF-1α) genes, calmodulin (CaM), or sequencing the D1/D2 domain of the large-subunit rRNA gene, as well as the ITS region, can reliably identify the species (Li et al, 2008;Anzawa et al, 2011;Mirhendi et al, 2014Mirhendi et al, , 2016Rezaei-Matehkolaei et al, 2014;Ahmadi et al, 2016). The results of previous studies emphasize that very few genetic changes happened in the evolutionary history of dermatophytes (Makimura et al, 1999;de Hoog et al, 2017;Persinoti et al, 2018;Zhan et al, 2018).…”

Studying the Blood Virtues of Animals Spontaneously Infected with Microsporum spp. and the Scheme in the Treatment of the Fungal Disease Microsporum spp.

“…and Microsporum spp. cause skin diseases in animals, such as T. mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum, and M. canis, which are known as zoophilic dermatophytes [1][2][3][4] The geographical location, exposure to stress factors, environmental conditions, and age play an essential role in the spread of dermatophytes. Economically, the increasing concern of dermatophytosis is not triggered by its worldwide public health problems in terms of affecting millions of individuals annually, but also by its being one of the dermatologic problems in the veterinary field involving domestic and wild animals [5].…”

Erratum for Mirhendi et al., The first case of onychomycosis in a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) due to atypical isolates of Microsporum gypseum, a diagnostic challenge

“…Volume 2, no. 2, 45-50, 2016, DOI: 10.18869/acadpub.cmm.2.2.2 [ 1 ]. The original version of this article contained incorrect dose of terbinafine.…”