Mycetes and urban areas

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Veterinary Mycology
• Zoonosis Epidemiology

Background:

• Fungi (Mycetes) are widespread and cause significant mycoses in humans and animals.
• The role of animals in urban mycoses epidemiology includes acting as vectors and providing growth substrates.
• Shifts in dermatomycoses patterns in Italy show a rise in zoophilic fungi over the past century.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the dual role of animals in the epidemiology of human mycoses in urban environments.
• To highlight animals as vectors for zoonotic dermatophytes, specifically Microsporum canis.
• To examine how animal-derived substrates contribute to the proliferation of pathogenic fungi.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological data on urban mycoses.
• Analysis of the role of domestic animals (cats, dogs) as carriers of dermatophytes.
• Examination of environmental factors, including soil 'animalization,' favoring fungal growth.

Main Results:

• Zoophilic dermatophytes, such as Microsporum canis from cats and dogs, are major causes of urban zoonotic dermatophytosis.
• Cats are identified as frequent asymptomatic carriers of Microsporum canis.
• Soil enriched with animal organic matter (hair, skin scales, droppings) promotes the growth of geophilic fungi like Microsporum gypseum and Cryptococcus neoformans.

Conclusions:

• Increasing human-animal proximity in urban areas favors pathogenic fungal proliferation and subsequent infections.
• Fungal-rich environments can trigger allergic reactions and other health issues in humans and animals.
• Effective control of mycoses necessitates integrated knowledge from human and veterinary medicine, supported by collaborative laboratory efforts.