A zoonotic ringworm outbreak caused by a dysgonic strain of Microsporum canis from stray cats

• Published in: Revista iberoamericana de micología Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 62 - 65
• Main Authors: Hermoso de Mendoza, Miguel, Hermoso de Mendoza, Javier, Alonso, Juan M, Rey, Joaquin M, Sanchez, Sergio, Martin, Remigio, Bermejo, Felix, Cortes, Maria, Benitez, Jose M, Garcia, Waldo L, Garcia-Sanchez, Alfredo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spain Elsevier Espana 30.06.2010; Asociación venezolana de micología; Asociación Española de Micología
• Subjects: Alopecia - microbiology; Alopecia - veterinary; Animals; Cat Diseases - drug therapy; Cat Diseases - microbiology; Cats; Dermatomycoses - drug therapy; Dermatomycoses - microbiology; Dermatomycoses - transmission; Dermatomycoses - veterinary; Disease Outbreaks; Dog Diseases - drug therapy; Dog Diseases - microbiology; Dog Diseases - transmission; Dogs; Dysgoni Microsporum canis; Dysgonic Microsporum canis; Female; Gatos callejeros; Hair - microbiology; Humans; Infectious Disease; Male; Microsporum - isolation & purification; Microsporum - physiology; Microsporum canis disgónico; Occupational Diseases - microbiology; Stray cats; Students, Health Occupations; Tiña zoonótica; Young Adult; Zoonoses; Zoonotic ringworm; Gatos callejeros; Tiña zoonótica; Microsporum canis disgónico; Stray cats; Zoonotic ringworm; Dysgonic Microsporum canis
• ISSN: 1130-1406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2009.12.007

Abstract Background Cats are frequent carriers of Microsporum canis and veterinary students are at high risk of exposure and acquisition of the organism a la infección. Objectives An outbreak of zoonotic ringworm carried by a litter of stray cats is described. Four veterinary students, four dogs, and six cats living in five separate locations were affected. All had direct or indirect contact with the infected kitten litter. We tried to identify the causal dermatophyte. Methods Conventional and mycological culture methods were used. Results Microscopic features of scrapings and hairs treated with 20% KOH strongly suggested a M. canis etiology, and a diagnosis of ringworm was empirically supported by successful treatment of humans and animals. Nevertheless, cultures failed to show the expected morphology. Conclusions Culture features of our strain are compared with those described by other authors for dysgonic M. canis strains. Epidemiological features are also discussed.