[Reported frequency of dermatophytes in cats and dogs in Austria]

During four years (1988-1991) 384 skin scrapings and hair samples obtained from cats and 636 samples obtained from dogs in Austria were examined routinely for dermatophytes. In cats dermatophytes were isolated or found positive in unstained KOH preparation in 50.3% of the samples. 90.7% of these cats were proved to be infected with Microsporum canis. Trichophyton mentagrophytes was isolated in 5.2% and Trichophyton spp. in 2.1% of the positive samples. In dogs dermatophytes were isolated from 12.4% of the samples. 58.2% of the dermatophyte positive dogs were found to be infected with M. canis. Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton spp. were isolated more frequently (19.0% and 7.6% of the positive samples) than in cats. In 13.9% of the positive samples hyphae and/or ectothrix spores could be found but culturing was negative.