Naslov
Dermatophytoses – companion animals associated risk

Autori
Štritof, Zrinka ; Pinter, Ljiljana

Izvornik
Praxis veterinaria (0350-4441) 55 (2007); 57-61

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, ostalo

Ključne riječi
dermatophytoses; pets; zoonoses

Sažetak
Companion animals can transmit numerous infectious diseases. Among them are dermatophytoses, the most common infectious skin diseases. They are caused by filamentous fungi, dermatophytes, which produce keratinolytic enzymes and invade hairs. Mechanical disruption of stratum corneum and acquired or inherited forms of immunosupression are predisposing factors for establishing an infection. Clinical findings usually include circular areas of hair loss. Various dermatophyte species may be transmitted to man by contact with infected hair and scales or fungal elements on animals, in the enviroment or on fomites. Infected animals are continual source of infection. Animals may be asymptomatic carriers, which do not show signs of disease themselves, but can infect others. According to the data collected at the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, the problem of dermatophytoses in companion animals has been on the rise continuously, especially in the last decades. This article shows number and species of dermatophytes isolated in the past five years from various animal species. Most frequently kept pets are still dogs and cats from which Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum were most commonly isolated species. Nevertheless, the number of exotic pets like hamsters, rabbits, guinnea pigs, ferrets, degus, chinchillas and hedgehogs has recently significantly increased in Croatia. Apart from the above mentioned dermatophytes, from these animal species Microsporum persicolor and Trichophyton erinacei were also isolated. As exotic pets are becoming even more popular, we should be aware that such animals are often carriers of these fungal pathogens.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Veterinarska medicina

POVEZANOST RADA