Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rapid PCR test to identify skin fungus in dog and cat hair samples
By Spanamberg, Andréia et al.·Published in Medical mycology·2023·Setor de Micologia Veteriná, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Molecular detection and species identification of dermatophytes by SYBR-Green real-time PCR in-house methodology using hair samples obtained from dogs and cats.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that a new test using real-time PCR can quickly identify skin infections caused by fungi in dogs and cats. Researchers tested hair samples from 287 pets suspected of having dermatophytosis (a fungal skin infection) and discovered that about half of the samples tested positive for dermatophytes using this new method, compared to lower rates with traditional tests. The most common fungus identified was Microsporum canis, which was found in many samples. This new test could help veterinarians diagnose skin infections more rapidly and accurately, leading to better treatment options for affected pets.
People also search for: dog skin infection test · cat fungal infection symptoms · how to treat dermatophytosis in pets
Abstract
The classical dermatophytes diagnosis is based on mycological culture and microscopy observation both human and animal hair, skin, and nail samples. The aim of this work was to develop the new in-house real-time PCR with pan-dematophyte reaction for detection and identification of the main dermatophytes directly from hair samples, providing a simple and rapid diagnosis of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats. An in-house SYBR-Green real-time PCR was designed and used for detecting a DNA fragment encoding chitin synthase 1 (CHS1). A total of 287 samples were processed by culture, microscopic examination with KOH 10%, and real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis. Melting curve analysis of the CHS1 fragment revealed to be reproducible, showing a single distinct peak for each species of dermatophyte, namely Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum, Microsporum canis, and Nannizzia gypsea (formerly M. gypseum). Then, out of the 287 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis, 50% were positive for dermatophytes by qPCR, 44% by mycological culture, and 25% by microscopic examination. Microsporum canis was identified in 117 samples tested by culture and 134 samples tested by qPCR, followed by N. gypsea in 5 samples (either tested by culture or qPCR) and T. mentagrophytes detected in 4 and 5 samples when tested by culture or qPCR, respectively. Overall, qPCR allowed the diagnosis of dermatophytosis in clinical samples. The results suggest this newly proposed in-house real-time PCR assay can be used as alternative diagnosis and rapid identification of dermatophytes frequently associated to clinical hair samples of dogs and cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37120732/