Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Dermatophytes isolated from asymptomatic stray cats

C Romano1, L Valenti, R Barbara

  • 1Istituto di Clinica Dermosifilopatica, Università degli Studi di Siena, Italy.

Mycoses
|February 21, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Stray cats in Siena are a significant source of Microsporum canis, a common cause of human dermatophytosis (ringworm). This study found many healthy stray cats carried the fungus, highlighting them as a reservoir for infection.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Practice parameters for sublingual immunotherapy.

Monaldi archives for chest disease = Archivio Monaldi per le malattie del torace·2006
Same author

A case of bullous tinea pedis with dermatophytid reaction caused by Trichophyton violaceum.

Mycoses·2006
Same author

[Criteria to notify to the authorities the occupational lumbar trait diseases].

Giornale italiano di medicina del lavoro ed ergonomia·2006
Same author

Usefulness of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in addition to mesalazine in maintaining remission in pediatric Crohn's disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

World journal of gastroenterology·2006
Same author

Sex differences in carpal tunnel syndrome: comparison of surgical and non-surgical populations.

European journal of neurology·2005
Same author

Alopecia areata in Down syndrome: a clinical evaluation.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2005

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Veterinary Dermatology
  • Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

  • Dermatophytosis is a common fungal infection in humans.
  • Zoophilic dermatophytes, particularly Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, are prevalent causes of human infections in Siena.
  • A history of contact with apparently healthy stray cats is noted in many infected patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of apparently healthy stray cats as reservoirs for dermatophytes in Siena.
  • To identify the prevalence of dermatophyte species in the fur of stray cats.
  • To determine potential risk factors for dermatophyte carriage in stray cats.

Main Methods:

  • Fungal cultures were performed on fur samples from 173 apparently healthy stray cats captured in Siena.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Cats were examined for visible mycotic lesions.
  • Isolates were identified to species level.

    • Main Results:

    • Microsporum canis was the most frequently isolated dermatophyte (82/173 cats).
    • Trichophyton mentagrophytes (3/173), Microsporum gypseum (1/173), and Trichophyton terrestre (2/173) were also identified.
    • Healthy carriers were significantly more common in cats aged 1 year or younger.
    • No significant differences in carriage rates were observed based on sex or race.

    Conclusions:

    • Stray cats in Siena serve as a significant reservoir for Microsporum canis.
    • These cats are a potential source of dermatophytosis infection for humans in the region.
    • Public health strategies should consider the role of stray animal populations in the transmission of zoonotic fungal infections.