Dermatophytosis in dogs and cats - an update.

Dermatophytosis is a cutaneous infection, caused by several types of keratophilic fungi (dermatophytes). It represents a serious and common contagious skin disease in dogs and cats. The significance of this disease for pet owners is based on the zoonotic potential. The prevalence varies with climate and local dermatophyte infestation. The most common infection in dogs and cats are caused by the genera Microsporum (M.), Nannizzia (N.) or Trichophyton (T.). The aim of this article is to summarise novel taxonomy, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations as well as the recently revised recommendations of the World Association of Veterinary Dermatology.

Boehm TMSA ，Mueller RS 《-》

Nannizzia species causing dermatophytosis in cats and dogs: First report of Nannizzia incurvata as an etiological agent in Brazil.

Bescrovaine JO ，Warth JFG ，de Souza C ，Benoni VW ，Baja F ，Schneider GX ，Vicente VA ，de Hoog GS ，Queiroz-Telles F ... -  《-》

An improved molecular diagnostic assay for canine and feline dermatophytosis.

Cafarchia C ，Gasser RB ，Figueredo LA ，Weigl S ，Danesi P ，Capelli G ，Otranto D ... -  《-》

Molecular detection and species identification of dermatophytes by SYBR-Green real-time PCR in-house methodology using hair samples obtained from dogs and cats.

The classical dermatophytes diagnosis is based on mycological culture and microscopy observation both human and animal hair, skin, and nail samples. The aim of this work was to develop the new in-house real-time PCR with pan-dematophyte reaction for detection and identification of the main dermatophytes directly from hair samples, providing a simple and rapid diagnosis of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats. An in-house SYBR-Green real-time PCR was designed and used for detecting a DNA fragment encoding chitin synthase 1 (CHS1). A total of 287 samples were processed by culture, microscopic examination with KOH 10%, and real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis. Melting curve analysis of the CHS1 fragment revealed to be reproducible, showing a single distinct peak for each species of dermatophyte, namely Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum, Microsporum canis, and Nannizzia gypsea (formerly M. gypseum). Then, out of the 287 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis, 50% were positive for dermatophytes by qPCR, 44% by mycological culture, and 25% by microscopic examination. Microsporum canis was identified in 117 samples tested by culture and 134 samples tested by qPCR, followed by N. gypsea in 5 samples (either tested by culture or qPCR) and T. mentagrophytes detected in 4 and 5 samples when tested by culture or qPCR, respectively. Overall, qPCR allowed the diagnosis of dermatophytosis in clinical samples. The results suggest this newly proposed in-house real-time PCR assay can be used as alternative diagnosis and rapid identification of dermatophytes frequently associated to clinical hair samples of dogs and cats.

Spanamberg A ，Ravazzolo AP ，Araujo R ，Tomazi N ，Fuentes B ，Ferreiro L ... -  《-》

Molecular diagnosis of dermatophyte isolates from canine and feline dermatophytosis in Northeast Iran.

Dermatophytes are the most common causes of cutaneous fungal diseases. Dermatophytosis is a common skin disorder in dogs and cats. Species identification of these fungi is important from a therapeutic and epidemiological aspect. Conventional methods used to identify dermatophyte species are often lengthy and may be inefficient in many circumstances. Recently broad varieties of several molecular DNA-based techniques were successfully utilised for species detection of dermatophytes. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular detection of dermatophyte isolates from canine and feline dermatophytosis in Mashhad, Iran. Thirty dermatophytes isolated from dogs and cats with skin lesions and one standard strain of Microsporum canis were cultured onto Mycosel agar, and then internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA was amplified using the universal fungal primers ITS1 and ITS4. PCR products were subjected to sequencing and sequence analysis. Based on the sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region on all samples, all the studied strains were M. canis and their sexual stage (teleomorph) was Arthroderma otae. Microsporum canis was the only species found among dogs and cats, and its high prevalence can increase the rate of transmission to humans. In practice, ITS-PCR, with sequence analysis, is a useful and reliable method to identify and differentiate various pathogenic species, and it can be used in clinical and epidemiological fields, even for the rapid diagnosis of dermatophyte species that are closely interrelated.

Lavari A ，Eidi S ，Soltani M 《Veterinary Medicine and Science》