Dermatophytosis in Small Animals

Abstract

Originally soil inhabitants, dermatophytes have evolved to infect animals and humans and are accordingly classified into geophilic, zoophilic, and anthropophilic species based on their main habitat or host. Three dermatophytes genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton-comprise more than 40 different species [4,5]. Animals can be infected by a great variety of dermatophytes, mostly zoophilic but also geophilic species, and exceptionally anthropophilic dermatophytes (Table 1) [6]. Clinical importance is usually mild except in heavily infected young animals such as calves with an impact on general health condition and growth. On the contrary, serious economic consequences result from the long duration of the disease [1,6]. The understanding of ringworm epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and control in pets is very important for reducing the spread of fungal infections in animals and humans. The purpose of this article was to briefly review about dermatophytosis in small animals. Abstract The purpose of this article was to briefly review about dermatophytosis in small animals. In the last years, the pet population has increased as well the interest in having animals as pets. Because of this, these small animals are more and more inserted in our daily life. The understanding of ringworm epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and control in pets is very important for the reason that pets are often asymptomatic carriers of dermatophytes being important sources of infection and/or carriers of infection. So, it is very important to know about this disease to reduce the spread of zoophilic fungal infections in humans, considering the close contact between pets and their owners, especially between children and their pets.