Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A zoonotic ringworm outbreak caused by a dysgonic strain of Microsporum canis from stray cats.
- Journal:
- Revista iberoamericana de micologia
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Hermoso de Mendoza, Miguel et al.
- Affiliation:
- Cá
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of stray cats was found to be carrying a type of ringworm caused by a strain of the fungus Microsporum canis, which can be passed to humans and other animals. Four veterinary students, four dogs, and six cats from different homes all had contact with the infected kittens and showed signs of infection. Tests on skin scrapings and hairs suggested that they had ringworm, and treatment for both the people and animals was effective, even though the lab cultures did not show the expected results. This case highlights how certain strains of the fungus can behave differently than usual. Overall, the treatment worked well for those affected.
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.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20346301/