Detection and Control of Dermatophytosis in Wild European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) Admitted to a French Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

Cécile Le Barzic,Adela Cmokova,Veronica Risco-Castillo,Chloé Denaes,Jacques Guillot,Pascal Arné,Vit Hubka

doi:10.3390/jof7020074

Cécile Le Barzic, Adela Cmokova + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7020074

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Abstract

The rising number of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) admitted every year to wildlife rehabilitation centres might be a source of concern to animal and public health since transmissible diseases, such as dermatophytosis, can be easily disseminated. This study seeks to evaluate the frequency of dermatophyte detection in hedgehogs admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre located near Paris, France, and to assess the risk of contamination in the centre in order to adapt prevention measures. A longitudinal cohort study was performed on 412 hedgehogs hosted at the Wildlife Animal Hospital of the Veterinary College of Alfort from January to December 2016. Animals were sampled once a month for fungal culture. Dermatophyte colonies were obtained from 174 out of 686 skin samples (25.4%). Besides Trichophyton erinacei, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Nannizzia gypsea were also found. Dermatophyte detection seemed to be associated with the presence of skin lesions, while more than one-third of T. erinacei-positive animals were asymptomatic carriers. Healing required several months of treatment with topical and systemic azoles, but dermatophytosis did not seem to reduce the probability of release. Daily disinfection procedures and early detection and treatment of infected and asymptomatic carriers succeeded in limiting dermatophyte transmission between hedgehogs and humans.

Highlights

Trichophyton erinacei is a zoophilic dermatophyte transmitted from hedgehogs; it belongs to the T. benhamiae complex, along with eight other zoo- and anthropophilic pathogens [1]
Wildlife care in rescue centres must include the use of appropriate measures to ensure the fast recovery of the hosted animals, avoiding the risk of transmission of infectious agents to other animals or to the caretakers
Our study confirmed that the dermatophyte species T. erinacei may be frequently detected in wild European hedgehogs, mostly coming from suburban areas in France, and that this contamination is often unnoticed

Summary

Introduction

Trichophyton erinacei is a zoophilic dermatophyte transmitted from hedgehogs; it belongs to the T. benhamiae complex, along with eight other zoo- and anthropophilic pathogens [1]. Infection usually occurs by direct contact with an infected hedgehog, indirect contact with contaminated material such as their nests has been described [2,3]. While clinical lesions are not always visible in hedgehogs, the symptoms in humans are mostly depicted as inflammatory skin infections [2,3,4]. People at risk of infection are mainly owners of hedgehogs as exotic pets or handlers of these animals in wildlife rescue centres or animal hospitals [5,6]. The general public’s participation in wildlife protection is steadily increasing by means of animal rescue in urban areas or volunteering in wildlife rescue centres [7]. Uninformed intervention in wildlife rescue rises questions concerning the risk of zoonotic disease transmission and the harmonisation of recommendations regarding wildlife handling

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