Fungal diseases in small mammals: therapeutic trends and zoonotic considerations

Prevalence of dermatophytes and other superficial fungal organisms in asymptomatic guinea pigs in Southern Italy

“…Guinea pigs have been identified as a potential zoonotic source of dermatophytes affecting humans, especially children and immunosuppressed individuals (Vangeel et al , Drouot et al , Khettar & Contet‐Audonneau , Kraemer et al , ). Predisposing factors for dermatophytoses in pet guinea pigs include stress, overcrowding, immunodeficiency, poor husbandry, malnutrition, concurrent underlying diseases and pregnancy (Marshall , Kraemer et al ). Infected animals may show dermatological signs such as pruritic areas of circular, irregular or diffuse alopecia, scaling, crusting and coalescing lesions with raised erythematous borders on the head, ears, back and limbs.…”

“…Infected animals may show dermatological signs such as pruritic areas of circular, irregular or diffuse alopecia, scaling, crusting and coalescing lesions with raised erythematous borders on the head, ears, back and limbs. However, subclinical infections have also been reported (Vangeel et al , Marshall , Hoppmann & Barron , Kraemer et al , ). Trichophyton mentagrophytes var .…”

Zoonotic Potential of Dermatophytosis in Small Mammals

“…stress, overcrowding, feeding and management deficiencies, pregnancy, immunodeficiency, age, ectoparasites, other diseases). 2,25,26,27 Although assumed in small mammals, a recent study of guinea pigs with other diseases showed a similar dermatophytosis infection rate in both animals with skin lesions and healthy animals. 7 Therefore, it is assumed that the influence of concurrent diseases on the development of dermatophytosis in mammals may be overestimated.…”

Would you like to purchase a rodent with dermatophytes?

“…Guinea pigs are believed to be the primary host of T benhamiae , but also rabbits and several other rodents have been described as carriers of T benhamiae . Clinical signs of infection varies from areas of alopecia, scaling, crusting or coalescing lesions with raised erythematous borders on the head, ears, back and limbs of the rodent to asymptomatic carriage which is only detected when the pet owners develop clinical signs of dermatophytosis . Multiple studies have investigated prevalence of dermatophytes in asymptomatic pet rodents, in a German study by Kraemer et al of the patients with a rodent‐related dermatophyte infection had just acquired a new guinea pig.…”