Dermatophytes in clinically healthy laboratory animals

Abstract

Mice, rats, guineapigs and rabbits that were apparently healthy and did not present skin lesions were examined for the presence of dermatophytes. A small proportion of them were found to be carriers of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis (8/140 = 5·7% of mice; 2/185 = 1·1% of rats; 1/70 = 1·4% of guineapigs; 1/215 = 0·5% of rabbits).

Biology and Diseases of Rabbits

“…In rabbits, lesions are often found on the ears and the face (around the eyes and on the nose) and these lesions show scaling and crusting (Chermette et al, 2008;Kramer et al, 2012). Infected rabbits may not exhibit clinical signs and may serve as carriers (Balsari et al, 1981;Cafarchia et al, 2010Cafarchia et al, , 2012aChermette et al, 2008;Lopez-Martinez et al, 1984).…”

Proliferative and Non-Proliferative Lesions of the Rat and Mouse Integument

“…and Microsporum spp. can infect mice and rats ( 8 Balsari et al, 1981) and might be transmitted to humans. Although most infections are subclinical, alopecia, crusting, and dermal inflammation may occur.…”

Infectious Diseases

“…ETIOLOGY Dermatophytosis in animals is most often caused by the anamorph species Microsporum and Trichophyton, however the infecting species can vary with the geographic region (Bond, 2010). Of these genera, Trichophyton mentagrophytes is the most common cause (Aho, 1980;Balsari et al, 1981;Drouot et al, 2009;Feuerman et al, 1975;Lopez-Martinez et al, 1984;McAleer, 1980aMcAleer, , 1980bPapini et al, 1997;Pombier and Kim, 1975;Stenwig, 1985;Vangeel et al, 2000). T. mentagrophytes is a species complex with several variants including both anthropophilic and zoophilic pathogens.…”

“…Young guinea pigs appear to be more susceptible to disease and other predisposing and susceptibility factors include pregnancy, high temperature and humidity, health status, and genetics (Pollock, 2003;Pombier and Kim, 1975). Surveys of dermatophytosis in guinea pigs have been reported from around the world, with prevalence ranging from 1.3-56% (Balsari et al, 1981;Drouot et al, 2009;Feuerman et al, 1975;Lopez-Martinez et al, 1984;Papini et al, 1997;Vangeel et al, 2000). CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS Infected guinea pigs are most often asymptomatic but can exhibit lesions typical of dermatophytosis.…”