Fungal Flora in Asymptomatic Pet Guinea Pigs and Rabbits

Abstract

Fungal skin diseases are well-recognized diseases with public health implications. The study provides a comprehensive overview and aims to determine the rate of positive fungal cultures to identify the most common fungal species in guinea pigs and rabbits and to determine the rate of asymptomatic carriers in healthy pet animals. This knowledge is essential for understanding disease transmission dynamics and epidemiological situation problems. A total of 167 animals (64 rabbits and 103 guinea pigs) were investigated in this study. The fungi of the genus Penicillium, Rhizopus, Mucor, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus were the most common in the examined animals, and they were isolated from 162 (97%) of the animals enrolled. No fungal growth was observed in 5 animals. In 15 cases (8.98%), we found pathogenic zoonotic dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes), which caused several health problems in two humans in contact with affected animals. This study presents the prevalence of fungal flora in pet guinea pigs and rabbits in Slovakia.

In vivo Guinea Pig Model Study for Evaluating Antifungal Effect of a Dual-Diode Laser with Wavelengths of 405 Nm and 635 Nm on Dermatophytosis

“… 19 Although 3.5–10.7% of the asymptomatic guinea pigs can carry T. mentagrophytes , symptomatic fungal infection, none of our uninfected control animals presented T. mentagrophytes -positive results. 19 , 20 All guinea pigs carrying T. rubrum or T. mentagrophytes showed clinical signs of fungal infection, including skin redness with scales and alopecia. However, because our study design lacked controlled evaluation of the treatment responses to fungal pathogens, further in vitro studies are needed to support our findings.…”

“…A previous study investigated fungal flora in 103 asymptomatic guinea pigs. 19 They isolated fungi of the genera Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Trichophyton, Alternaria, Fusarium , and Humicola guinea pigs in the order of frequency. 19 Although 3.5–10.7% of the asymptomatic guinea pigs can carry T. mentagrophytes , symptomatic fungal infection, none of our uninfected control animals presented T. mentagrophytes -positive results.…”

“… 19 They isolated fungi of the genera Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Trichophyton, Alternaria, Fusarium , and Humicola guinea pigs in the order of frequency. 19 Although 3.5–10.7% of the asymptomatic guinea pigs can carry T. mentagrophytes , symptomatic fungal infection, none of our uninfected control animals presented T. mentagrophytes -positive results. 19 , 20 All guinea pigs carrying T. rubrum or T. mentagrophytes showed clinical signs of fungal infection, including skin redness with scales and alopecia.…”

First description of Arthroderma lilyanum in a rabbit with a focal alopecic area of the forelimb

“…Hence, it is questionable, whether the lesion was caused by A. lilyanum . Rabbits can also be asymptomatic carriers of dermatophytes [ 4 , 5 ]. So far, the dermatophyte was only reported once, and further studies are needed to determine its pathogenicity and host range.…”

“…Typical lesions include alopecia, erythema, and pruritus, mostly in the face, on ears or legs [ 3 ]. Rabbits can also be asymptomatic carriers of dermatophytes [ 4 , 5 ]. The most common dermatophyte in rabbits is Trichophyton mentagrophytes , followed by Microsporum canis [ 5 , 6 ].…”