Kennel Disinfectants for Microsporum canis and Trichophyton sp

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Mycology
• Infectious Disease Control
• Environmental Hygiene

Background:

• Dermatophytosis is a common fungal infection in kennels, posing a risk to animal health.
• Effective disinfection protocols are crucial for controlling the spread of fungal pathogens in animal housing environments.
• Limited data exists on the comparative efficacy of commonly used kennel disinfectants against robust fungal challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antifungal efficacy of several large-surface kennel disinfectants against dermatophyte species.
• To determine the effectiveness of disinfectants using naturally infective material under simulated kennel conditions.
• To identify reliable disinfectants for preventing fungal contamination in veterinary facilities.

Main Methods:

• Naturally infected animal material (M. canis, Trichophyton sp.) was used to create a challenging inoculum.
• Disinfectants tested included sodium hypochlorite, enilconazole, accelerated hydrogen peroxide, potassium peroxymonosulfate, and calcium hypochlorite.
• Inoculum was mixed with disinfectants at various dilutions (1:10, 1:5, 1:1) with a 10-minute contact time, followed by fungal culture.

Main Results:

• Enilconazole, sodium hypochlorite (all tested dilutions), accelerated hydrogen peroxide, and 2% potassium peroxymonosulfate completely inhibited fungal growth.
• 1% potassium peroxymonosulfate showed reduced efficacy compared to the 2% solution.
• Calcium hypochlorite demonstrated no significant antifungal activity against the tested pathogens.

Conclusions:

• Enilconazole, sodium hypochlorite, accelerated hydrogen peroxide, and 2% potassium peroxymonosulfate are recommended for effective kennel decontamination against dermatophytes.
• Proper dilution and contact time are essential for achieving optimal disinfectant efficacy.
• Regular disinfection with proven agents is vital for managing fungal outbreaks in kennels.