Abstract
The possible involvement of saprobe fungi in dermatomycoses, as well as the determination of the incidence of dermatophytes in dogs and cats were studied. During a period of one year, 74 dogs and 18 cats, with cutaneous lesions suggesting mycoses were included in this study. The mycological analyses were conducted by direct microscopy and by fungal culture on Sabouraud agar, chloramphenicol Sabouraud agar and mycosel agar. Of the 92 samples, 21 resulted in positive cultures for dermatophytes. Dermatophyte fungi pure cultures were obtained from 13 samples. A simultaneous growth of dermatophytes plus saprobe fungi was observed in 8 of the samples. Of the remaining 71 samples, no fungal growth was observed in 10 samples, and at minimum the growth of one saprobe fungi in 61. One, two and three genera of saprobe fungi were isolated in 29, 30 and 2 samples, respectively. Microsporum canis was isolated in 6 (28.6 %) and 10 samples (47.6 %) from cats and dogs, respectively, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 2 (9.5 %) and 3 samples (14.3 %) from cats and dogs, respectively. The following genera of saprobe fungi were also isolated: Alternaria sp (1.9%), Chaetomium sp (1.9%), Rhizopus sp (2.9%), Curvularia sp (3.9%), Candida sp (6.8%), Trichoderma sp (6.8%), Fusarium sp (7.8%), Cladosporium sp (8.7%), Penicillium sp (21.4%) and Aspergillus sp (37.9%).
Highlights
Dermatophytoses is a disease characterized by superficial cutaneous lesions, caused by dermatophytes fungi on the keratinised tissues
It was seen that there was an exclusive growth of these fungi in 13 samples, and a simultaneous growth of dermatophytes plus saprobe fungi in 8 of them
The following genera of saprobe fungi were isolated, from cats and dogs with cutaneous lesions suggesting dermatomycoses: Alternaria sp (1.9%), Chaetomium sp (1.9%), Rhizopus sp (2.9%), Curvularia sp (3.9%), Candida sp (6.8%), Trichoderma sp (6.8%), Fusarium sp (7.8%), Cladosporium sp (8.7%), Penicillium sp (21.4%) and Aspergillus sp (37.9%) (Fig.2)
Summary
Dermatophytoses is a disease characterized by superficial cutaneous lesions, caused by dermatophytes fungi on the keratinised tissues (skin, hair and nails). This mycotic infection is reported throughout the world, and it is extremely contagious (Faggi et al, 1987; González, 1990; Sparkes et al, 1993). Infections by dermatophytes may be transmitted from animal to animal, animal to human, human to human, and human to animal in a cyclic manner (Radentz, 1991; Bassanesi et al, 1993; Cabañes et al, 1997). Several previous studies on canine and feline dermatophytoses have shown that 95 to 98 % of the incidence of these mycoses are due to dermatophytes belonging to these genera (Faggi et al, 1987; González, 1990; Sparkes et al, 1993)
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