Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat skin infection by Chrysosporium mistaken for Trichophyton fungus
By Kizerwetter-Świda, Magdalena et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2024·Department of Preclinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Chrysosporium articulatum mimicking Trichophyton spp. infection in a cat: a case presentation and literature review.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with skin lesions was initially thought to have a common fungal infection called dermatophytosis, typically caused by Trichophyton species. The cat had bald patches on its neck, belly, and hind legs. However, further testing revealed that the infection was actually caused by a less common fungus called Chrysosporium articulatum. This case highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis in skin infections, as the wrong treatment could lead to ongoing issues. The cat's condition was properly identified through advanced testing, ensuring it received the correct care.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dermatophytosis is a common skin infection of cats and many other animals. A reliable diagnosis is crucial because of the zoonotic potential of dermatophytes. The routine mycological diagnostic procedures for dermatophytosis are widely known, but in the case of some isolates, identification based on phenotypic characteristics may be incorrect. Infections caused by Chrysosporium spp. are usually described in reptiles, but in other animals they are uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION: This study presents a description of a cat with dermatological lesions, that was mistakenly diagnosed with Trichophyton spp. dermatophytosis. Clinical material for mycological examination was collected from alopecic areas on the back of the neck, the ventral abdomen, and the hindlimbs. The initial identification based on phenotypic properties indicated Trichophyton spp. The result of the MALDI-ToF MS allowed the exclusion of the Trichophyton genus. Ultimately, the correct identification as Chrysosporium articulatum was obtained based on the sequencing of ribosomal genes. CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation of the results of the mycological examination of samples collected from animals' skin or hair shafts is always challenging. Thus, careful consideration of the primary cause of the clinical lesions observed on the skin is mandatory, and the culture results are worth supporting by molecular methods.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39127672/