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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2022Dermatophytes are highly infectious fungi that cause superficial infections in keratinized tissues in humans and animals. This group of fungi is defined by their ability... (Review)
Review
Dermatophytes are highly infectious fungi that cause superficial infections in keratinized tissues in humans and animals. This group of fungi is defined by their ability to digest keratin and encompasses a wide range of species. Classification of many of these species has recently changed due to genetic analysis, potentially affecting clinical diagnosis and disease management. In this review, we discuss dermatophyte classification including name changes for medically important species, current and potential diagnostic techniques for detecting dermatophytes, and an in-depth review of , a prevalent zoonotic dermatophyte. Fungal culture is still considered the "gold standard" for diagnosing dermatophytosis; however, modern molecular assays have overcome the main disadvantages of culture, allowing for tandem use with cultures. Further investigation into novel molecular assays for dermatophytosis is critical, especially for high-density populations where rapid diagnosis is essential for outbreak prevention. A frequently encountered dermatophyte in clinical settings is , which causes dermatophytosis in humans and cats. is adapting to its primary host (cats) as one of its mating types (MAT1-2) appears to be going extinct, leading to a loss of sexual reproduction. Investigating strains around the world can help elucidate the evolutionary trajectory of this fungi.
PubMed: 36145389
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11090957 -
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Jul 2013Dermatophytosis, usually caused by Microsporum canis, is the most common fungal infection in cats worldwide, and one of the most important infectious skin diseases in... (Review)
Review
OVERVIEW
Dermatophytosis, usually caused by Microsporum canis, is the most common fungal infection in cats worldwide, and one of the most important infectious skin diseases in this species. Many adult cats are asymptomatic carriers. Severe clinical signs are seen mostly in kittens or immunosuppressed adults. Poor hygiene is a predisposing factor, and the disease may be endemic in shelters or catteries. Humans may be easily infected and develop a similar skin disease.
INFECTION
Infectious arthrospores produced by dermatophytes may survive in the environment for about a year. They are transmitted through contact with sick cats or healthy carriers, but also on dust particles, brushes, clothes and other fomites.
DISEASE SIGNS
Circular alopecia, desquamation and sometimes an erythematous margin around central healing ('ringworm') are typical. In many cats this is a self-limiting disease with hair loss and scaling only. In immunosuppressed animals, the outcome may be a multifocal or generalised skin disease.
DIAGNOSIS
Wood's lamp examination and microscopic detection of arthrospores on hairs are simple methods to confirm M canis infection, but their sensitivity is relatively low. The gold standard for detection is culture on Sabouraud agar of hairs and scales collected from new lesions.
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
In shelters and catteries eradication is difficult. Essential is a combination of systemic and topical treatments, maintained for several weeks. For systemic therapy itraconazole is the drug of choice, terbinafine an alternative. Recommended topical treatment is repeated body rinse with an enilconazole solution or miconazole with or without chlorhexidine. In catteries/shelters medication must be accompanied by intensive decontamination of the environment.
VACCINATION
Few efficacy studies on anti-M canis vaccines (prophylactic or therapeutic) for cats have been published, and a safe and efficient vaccine is not available.
Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Cat Diseases; Cats; Tinea
PubMed: 23813824
DOI: 10.1177/1098612X13489222 -
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational... 2020Dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic fungi, which normally cause superficial infection of skin, hair and nails. Based on ecology, they are classified into three... (Review)
Review
Dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic fungi, which normally cause superficial infection of skin, hair and nails. Based on ecology, they are classified into three groups: anthropophilic, zoophilic and geophilic. Superficial dermatophytic infection of the genital region is called genital dermatophytosis, tinea genitalis or pubo-genital dermatophytosis. In this review, we would like to discuss briefly, the various clinical presentations of genital dermatophytosis, current changes in the taxonomy and nomenclature, introduction of new diagnostic techniques and briefly describe some common dermatophytes and their sources. Also, there are serious concerns associated with the recent development of antifungal resistance among the dermatophytes. We are also facing the scenario of hard-to-treat dermatophytosis.
PubMed: 33061514
DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S262704 -
Current Medical Mycology Jun 2023Tinea incognita (TI), or the other equivalent tinea atypica, is a term used to declare the atypical presentation of dermatophyte infections caused by the administration... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Tinea incognita (TI), or the other equivalent tinea atypica, is a term used to declare the atypical presentation of dermatophyte infections caused by the administration of steroids or other immunosuppressive medications which modulate the local and systemic immune response. It can mimic other dermatoses; hence making diagnostic challenges for dermatologists. Tina incognita may be misdiagnosed as many dermatoses. Based on previous studies, corticosteroids may cause different clinical manifestations of dermatophytes that might be very different from those that are commonly described.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This narrative review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. Search terms included "Tinea incognita" and "Atypical dermatophytosis". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, reviews, and case reports. The search was restricted to articles written in the English language from 2006 to Feb 01, 2023. Moreover, duplicate articles and non-available full-text articles were excluded. The extracted data of the search results were retrieved in this study. The morphological patterns, prevalence, sight of infection, and causative agents were also described.
RESULTS
Prevalence of different patterns of TI were recorded as 50% (431 out of 862 cases) for eczema-like lesions followed by psoriasis-like and 6.61% (57 out of 862) for parapsoriasis-like pattern. Moreover, each of the rosacea-like and pyoderma-like lesions equally accounted for 4.98 % of cases (43 out of 862). In addition, the prevalence of causative agents was reported as follows: accounted for 247 isolates (40%) as the most prevalent, followed by (n=152, 24%) and (n=119, 19%).
CONCLUSION
Tinea incognita is a great mimicker; hence, dermatologists should obtain a full medical history of the patients to make correct diagnoses. It is vital to encourage an exact identification of the etiological agent according to the internal transcribed spacer sequencing in some uncertain cases. This review highlights the importance of mycological tests and fast diagnosis of TI, especially in cases of atypical skin lesions, to choose appropriate treatment and avoid the spread of drug-resistant species.
PubMed: 38375520
DOI: 10.22034/cmm.2023.345069.1425 -
Microbiology and Immunology Feb 2019Silkworm, Bombyx mori, has various advantages as an experimental animal, such as the low cost for rearing and fewer ethical problems. Models utilizing silkworms of... (Review)
Review
Silkworm, Bombyx mori, has various advantages as an experimental animal, such as the low cost for rearing and fewer ethical problems. Models utilizing silkworms of infection with pathogenic bacteria have been established for identification of genes encoding virulence factors by large-scale in vivo screening. In this review, we describe recent progress in the study of silkworm infection models for elucidating the mechanisms of fungi infection. Silkworm infection models have been established for Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata and Cryptococcus neoformans, which are yeast type fungi, and Aspergillus fumigatus, Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii, Arthroderma benhamiae, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum, and Rhizopus oryzae, which are filamentous fungi. Novel genes encoding virulence factors in C. albicans and C. glabrata have been identified by using the silkworm infection models. We here outline the benefits of using silkworm infection models and a strategy for identifying the genes responsible for pathogenicity of microorganisms such as fungi. © 2019 The Authors. Microbiology and Immunology Published by The Societies and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Bombyx; Candida; Candidiasis; Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus neoformans; Disease Models, Animal; Fungi; Mycoses; Virulence; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 30666711
DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12668 -
Medical Mycology Feb 2022Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection of keratinized tissues that can occur in humans and other animals. In domestic cats, the majority of cases are caused...
UNLABELLED
Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection of keratinized tissues that can occur in humans and other animals. In domestic cats, the majority of cases are caused by Microsporum canis and can spread to other animals and humans via arthrospores. Between 2019 and 2021, 164 cases of suspected dermatophytosis were recorded in animals from a high-volume shelter in California. Samples (hair, nail, and skin scraping) were collected for routine screening from these individuals. One hundred and twenty-six of these were diagnosed as M. canis by culture and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence. In four suspected dermatophytosis cases occurring in kittens in 2019, cultures grown at 20°C yielded fungi with colony morphology more similar to Arthroderma species than Microsporum. Morphologic and microscopic examinations were conducted, and gene segments for the ITS, β-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) regions were sequenced from DNA extracted from these cultures. Sequences were aligned to other dermatophytes using maximum likelihood and neighbor-joining trees and were compared to previously described fungal species to assess nucleotide homology. We identified two previously undescribed fungal species, herein proposed as Arthroderma lilyanum sp. nov. and Arthroderma mcgillisianum sp. nov. M. canis co-cultured in two of the four cases. Other physiologic tests supported this diagnosis. These species have significance as potential pathogens and should be considered as rule-outs for dermatophytosis in cats. The potential for infection of other species, including humans, should be considered.
LAY SUMMARY
Two novel fungal species were cultured and characterized from four cases of suspected ringworm in cats at an animal shelter in CA, US. These species were genetically distinct from other dermatophytes and are herein described as Arthroderma lilyanum sp. nov. and Arthroderma mcgillisianum sp. nov.
Topics: Animals; Arthrodermataceae; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dermatomycoses; Female; Hair; Microsporum; Tinea; Tubulin; United States
PubMed: 34999826
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac001 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022Pets are increasingly becoming part of the family and interactions between pets and their owners is changing. This results in extended and more intimate contact between...
BACKGROUND
Pets are increasingly becoming part of the family and interactions between pets and their owners is changing. This results in extended and more intimate contact between owners and their pets, which give rise to zoonotic risks.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the presence of potential zoonotic pathogens in pets that sleep with their owner.
METHODS
As a pilot study, a group of 28 healthy dogs and 22 healthy cats were monitored for the presence of the zoonotic parasites Cheyletiella, spp. and spp., the dermatophyte , and the bacteria , spp., and Enterobacteriaceae. This was investigated by taking samples from the fur, the footpads and the animal bed. The owners filled in a questionnaire.
RESULTS
In total, 29 of the 50 pets (58%) slept on the bed, of which 15 pets (30%) slept in the bed (under the blankets). A total of 19/22 dogs (86%) and 7/22 cats (32%) tested positive for Enterobacteriaceae on the fur or footpads. Fleas were found in 5/22 of the cats' (23%) and 2/28 of the dogs' (7%) favourite sleeping spots. High levels of aerobic colonies were found, up to 216 colony forming units/cm. Other pathogens were not found in this study.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this preliminary study confirm literature reports that pets may constitute a potential risk in the transmission of zoonotic pathogens to their owner, especially during direct contact when sleeping in the same bed. Owners should therefore be informed about these risks and educated to interact with their pets in a more responsible way.
PubMed: 36297206
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101149 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022
Topics: Candida; Fungi; Genomics
PubMed: 35719349
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.928440 -
Medical Mycology Journal 2019In a 2012-2014 epidemiological study of feline and canine dermatophytoses in Japan, we investigated the prevalence of fungi among 296 cats and 170 dogs treated at a... (Review)
Review
In a 2012-2014 epidemiological study of feline and canine dermatophytoses in Japan, we investigated the prevalence of fungi among 296 cats and 170 dogs treated at a veterinary clinic and 51 cats and dogs at an animal shelter at Fukui City in Japan. Microsporum canis was isolated from only one cat out of the 517 animals. Also, from 2012 to 2017, we analyzed isolates from 76 cats and 15 dogs with dermatophytoses at 14 veterinary clinics across 10 prefectures in Honshu and Shikoku. M. canis was the cause for 85 of the cases and Microsporum gypseum for the other six. M. canis infection routes in cats are thought to include stray cats as well as breeding facilities and pet shops, whereas for dogs, only breeding facilities and pet shops. Tinea was found in 18.7% (14/75) of the owners of these animals. We showed that microsatellite genotyping is useful for molecular epidemiological investigations such as determination of infection routes of M. canis.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Disease Reservoirs; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Genotyping Techniques; Humans; Japan; Microsporum; Prevalence; Time Factors; Tinea
PubMed: 31155570
DOI: 10.3314/mmj.19.001 -
Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi = Japanese... 2000Dermatophytes from animal dermatophytoses were investigated, especially for their teleomorphs and molecular characteristics. Microsporum canis, M. equinum, M. gypseum,... (Review)
Review
Dermatophytes from animal dermatophytoses were investigated, especially for their teleomorphs and molecular characteristics. Microsporum canis, M. equinum, M. gypseum, M. nanum, Trichophyton equinum, T. mentagrophytes complex, T. rubrum and T. verrucosum were isolated as the etiological agents of animal ringworm in Japan. They were morphologically and biochemically identified and their perfect states were examined. The teleomorph of M. canis was first obtained and reported as Nanizzia otae in 1975. The isolates of M. canis of which the teleomorph was confirmed were all "-" excepted two Japanese isolates. Mating experiments indicated that the isolates of M. gypseum were "+" or "-" of A. gypseum and A. incurvatum, respectively. Most of the isolates of T. mentagrophytes complex of which a perfect state was detected were A. vanbreuseghemii. One isolate from a monkey was A. simii and one from a rabbit was A. benhamiae. However, the teleomorph remained unknown in many isolates. Molecular characteristics in random amplification of polymorphic DNA and Southern hybridization analyses were found to be effective to differentiate the species of Microsporum. Nucleotide sequences of chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) gene of dermatophytes were also analyzed for their phylogenetic relatedness. The phylogenetic analysis revealed four clusters: the first cluster consisted of A. benhamiae, A. simii, A. vanbreuseghemii, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale, T. rubrum and T. violaceum; the second of A. fulvum, A. gypseum and A. incurvatum; the third of A. grubyi and A. otae; and the fourth of Epidermaphyton floccosum, providing useful information for the classification and understanding of their evolution.
Topics: Animals; Arthrodermataceae; Dermatomycoses; Haplorhini; Rabbits
PubMed: 10660635
DOI: 10.3314/jjmm.41.1