Isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the nails of domestic cats (Felis catus)

Abstract

We report the first isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the nail surfaces of cats. The fungus grew from nail clippings of three cats associated with three household outbreaks of sporotrichosis involving cats and human beings. The identification of the isolates was based on macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics at 25 °C and conversion of S. schenckii to the yeast-like form at 37 °C.