STUDY ON PREVALENCE OF SUBCLINICAL DERMATOPHYTOSIS IN STRAY CATS

ALI SHABESRARI ASL*,MASOUD MEHRJOO

Dermatophytosis or ringworm is an infectious fungal disease that can be produced by three species of dermatophytes. Microsporum canis seems to be prevalence and more common cause of ringworm but dermatophytosis can be produced by another dermatophytes agents.(like M.gypseum)

Dermatophytes invade and live in keratinized layer of derm and can be transmitted to human and animals by direct contact with infectious animals or by soil.

In this research, we tried to determine the subclinical dermatophytosis prevalence in stray cats. We selected specimens from 75 stray cats.(Table 1) Specimens were collected by brush method. After collection, specimens were cultured in both S.D.A and Mycobiotic agar medium. Cultures medium were studied every day and final results accepted after 30 days. Different fungal colonies were seen after 3-5 days in Sabouraud' S dextrose agar medium (like cladosporium, fusarium and... table 2)

Microsporum canis were isolated from only two stray cats in mycobiotic agar medium after 30 days. None of the stray cats have any dermal signs and we never seen any signs of dermatophytosis and cladosporiosis.

According to the results and lack of any dermal signs, one method of transmission of ringworm to human and pets is contact with these cats. We think that the stray cats can be carrier of this disease and seems that they will be a potential source of environment contamination.