Case report of a female cat infected to Microsporum canis

Introduction and objectives: Dermatophytosis, usually caused by Microsporum canis, is one of the most important infectious skin diseases in this species. Poor hygiene is a predisposing factor. Microsporum canis is a transmissible fungal skin disease in various animal species and human. Disease is self-limited and not life threating but it can make some problems due to zoonotic aspect especially for pet owners. Humans may be easily infected and develop a similar skin disease Materials and methods: A female cat were referred to the Veterinary Clinic of Shahid Bahonar Kerman University with signs of erythematous circular plaques in the skin, hyperkeratosis, scaling and hair loss in a vast area. After primary examination, biopsy samples were taken from border of expanding alopecia and fixed in neutral buffered formalin 10%. Scales and hair were cultured for dermatophyte spores and hyphae. Sabouraud dextrose agar and DTM were used to find out the dermatophyte species. Results: Histopathologic study showed parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and variable acanthosis in the epidermis layer. Inflammation was observed as perifolliculitis, luminal folliculitis and furunculosis. Spores and hyphae of dermatophytes infected around the hair shafts that were evident in H&E staining and confirmed by periodic acid–Schiff (PAS). In culture medium, Microsporum canis was detected. Conclusion: Microsporum canis is a highly transmissible pathogen in cats that suffer poor husbandry. Microsporum canis can be carried mechanically through cats and dogs to other species. The disease has a long-time treatment between 21 to 30 days. Pet owners are in high risk and finding out pathogen and treat it is so important.

کلیدواژه ها:

Microsporum canis ، Cat ، Feline ، Dermatophyte ، Zoonotic