ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective. The dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi, of importance in public health because of their anthropozoophilic nature. Given the increasing acquisition of exotic animals as pets and the scarce studies on the state of colonization by dermatophytes on these animals; we raised the objective of determine the presence of dermatophytes in clinically healthy rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from pet stores in Santiago, Chile. Materials and Methods. 42 clinically healthy rabbits were studied. Clinical specimens were obtained from the hairy mantle and cultivated on Sabouraud glucose agar and dermatophyte test medium (DTM™); the identification of the fungal isolates was performed using classic mycological procedures that included direct microscopic examination and the analysis of micromorphological features on culture. Results. Of the total number of rabbits studied, three (7.1%) presented colonization by dermatophytes, being more frequent in males and in those animals that coexisted with Guinea Pigs. The species identified in all three cases was Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Conclusions. This study evidence colonization by dermatophytes in domestic rabbits, important information for veterinarians and owners of pets, at the time of being in contact with this animal species.
RESUMEN Objetivo. Los dermatofitos son hongos queratinofílicos, de importancia en salud pública por su rol antropozoofílico. Dado el aumento en la adquisición de animales exóticos como mascotas y los escasos estudios sobre el estado de colonización por dermatofitos en estos animales, nos planteamos el objetivo de determinar la presencia de dermatofitos en conejos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) clínicamente sanos procedentes de tiendas de mascotas en Santiago de Chile. Materiales y Métodos. Se estudiaron 42 conejos clínicamente sanos. Las muestras clínicas se obtuvieron desde el manto piloso y cultivadas en agar Sabouraud glucosado y dermatophyte test medium (DTM®). La identificación del agente aislado fue realizada por procedimientos micológicos clásicos que incluyeron examen microscópico directo y cultivo. Resultados. Del total de conejos estudiados, tres (7,1%) presentaron colonización por dermatofitos, siendo más frecuente en machos y en aquellos animales que convivían con cuyes. La especie identificada en los tres casos fue Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Conclusiones. Este estudio evidencia la colonización por dermatofitos en conejos domésticos, información importante para médicos veterinarios y propietarios de mascotas, al momento de estar en contacto con esta especie animal.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rabbits , Rabbits , Arthrodermataceae , TineaABSTRACT
Antecedentes: Los dermatofitos son hongos patógenos que pueden formar parte de la microbiota de mamíferos como perros, gatos y roedores, que pueden ser fuente y vehículo de transmisión a otros hospederos, incluyendo al hombre. En nuestro medio, existe un aumento sostenido en la incorporación de cuyes (Cavia porcellus) como mascota, sin contar con estudios locales que evidencien la colonización de dermatofitos. Objetivos: Determinar la presencia de dermatofitos en cuyes clínicamente sanos, mantenidos en tiendas de mascotas en la ciudad de Santiago de Chile. Métodos: Se incluyeron en el estudio 52 animales clínicamente sanos, muestreados mediante el método de Mariat y Tapia (1966). Para el cultivo de las muestras y la identificación de los agentes aislados se siguieron los procedimientos micológicos clásicos. Resultados: Del total de cuyes, 4 (7,7%) presentaron colonización por dermatofitos; las especies aisladas fueronTrichophyton mentagrophytes (3 casos) y Trichophyton verrucosum (un caso). Conclusiones: Este estudio evidencia, por primera vez en Chile, que los cuyes pueden ser colonizados por dermatofitos, lo cual debe alertar a los administradores de las tiendas de mascotas y a los médicos veterinarios y humanos, para tenerlo presente en el momento de adquirir o atender a este tipo de mascota en la clínica veterinaria (AU)
Background: Dermatophytes are pathogenic fungi that can be present in the flora of mammals, such as dogs, cats and rodents, which can be a source and transmission vehicle to other hosts, including humans. In Chile, there is a steady increase of acquiring guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) as pets, with no local studies on their colonization by dermatophytes. Objective: To determine the presence of dermatophytes on clinically healthy guinea pigs, kept in pet stores in Santiago, Chile. Methods: A total of 52 clinically healthy animals were studied using the method by Mariat and Tapia (1966). The specimen culture and identification of the dermatophytes were performed using classical mycological procedures. Results: Four guinea pigs (7.7%) out of 52 were colonized by dermatophytes, and were identified as Trichophyton mentagrophytes (3 cases) and Trichophyton verrucosum (one case). Conclusion: This study shows, for the first time in Chile, that guinea pigs can be colonized by dermatophytes, which should alert administrators of pet stores, veterinarians and physicians, to keep this in mind when purchasing or looking after this type of pet in a veterinary office (AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Guinea Pigs , Tinea/epidemiology , Arthrodermataceae/pathogenicity , Guinea Pigs/parasitology , Pets/parasitologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dermatophytes are pathogenic fungi that can be present in the flora of mammals, such as dogs, cats and rodents, which can be a source and transmission vehicle to other hosts, including humans. In Chile, there is a steady increase of acquiring guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) as pets, with no local studies on their colonization by dermatophytes. OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of dermatophytes on clinically healthy guinea pigs, kept in pet stores in Santiago, Chile. METHODS: A total of 52 clinically healthy animals were studied using the method by Mariat and Tapia (1966). The specimen culture and identification of the dermatophytes were performed using classical mycological procedures. RESULTS: Four guinea pigs (7.7%) out of 52 were colonized by dermatophytes, and were identified as Trichophyton mentagrophytes (3 cases) and Trichophyton verrucosum (one case). CONCLUSION: This study shows, for the first time in Chile, that guinea pigs can be colonized by dermatophytes, which should alert administrators of pet stores, veterinarians and physicians, to keep this in mind when purchasing or looking after this type of pet in a veterinary office.
Subject(s)
Arthrodermataceae/isolation & purification , Carrier State/veterinary , Guinea Pigs/microbiology , Pets/microbiology , Tinea/transmission , Trichophyton/isolation & purification , Animals , Carrier State/microbiology , Chile , Commerce , Disease Reservoirs/microbiology , Female , Hair/microbiology , Housing, Animal , Male , Skin/microbiology , ZoonosesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of acute respiratory illness caused by Hantavirus is based in the rapid and progressive clinical course, epidemiological background and the serological confirmation of the virus. When the presence of the virus is not confirmed a differential diagnosis must be made with other infections. Between 1999 and 2001, the Chilean Public Health Institute received 1063 blood samples from patients with a suspicious clinical picture, to study the presence of Andes strain of Hantavirus. In 134 of these samples, the presence of the virus was confirmed. AIM: To study the presence of other infections in sera from patients with suspected Hantavirus acute respiratory illness but serologically negative for Hantavirus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 98 serum samples, received at the National Public Health Institute, of patients with negative serology for Hantavirus. The presence of antibodies against influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Leptospira and Streptococcus pneumoniae was determined using Latex techniques. RESULTS: Leptospira was detected in 23 patients, influenza virus in 13, Streptococcus pneumoniae in six and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in one case. Leptospira infections were confirmed in four cases by ELISA determination of IgM antibodies. Influenza virus infection was confirmed in three cases by Hemmaglutation Inhibition Assay. CONCLUSIONS: In suspected cases of Hantavirus acute respiratory infection, but with negative serology, other infectious agents such as Leptospira, influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, must be sought.
Subject(s)
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome/complications , Leptospirosis/complications , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/complications , Pneumonia, Pneumococcal/complications , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/virology , Retrospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Background: The diagnosis of acute respiratory illness caused by Hantavirus is based in the rapid and progressive clinical course, epidemiological background and the serological confirmation of the virus. When the presence of the virus is not confirmed a differential diagnosis must be made with other infections. Between 1999 and 2001, the Chilean Public Health Institute received 1063 blood samples from patients with a suspicious clinical picture, to study the presence of Andes strain of Hantavirus. In 134 of these samples, the presence of the virus was confirmed. Aim: To study the presence of other infections in sera from patients with suspected Hantavirus acute respiratory illness but serologically negative for Hantavirus. Material and methods: A retrospective study of 98 serum samples, received at the National Public Health Institute, of patients with negative serology for Hantavirus. The presence of antibodies against influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Leptospira and Streptococcus pneumoniae was determined using Latex techniques. Results: Leptospira was detected in 23 patients, influenza virus in 13, Streptococcus pneumoniae in six and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in one case. Leptospira infections were confirmed in four cases by ELISA determination of IgM antibodies. Influenza virus infection was confirmed in three cases by Hemmaglutation Inhibition Assay. Conclusions: In suspected cases of Hantavirus acute respiratory infection, but with negative serology, other infectious agents such as Leptospira, influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, must be sought.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome/complications , Leptospirosis/complications , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/complications , Pneumonia, Pneumococcal/complications , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/etiology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/virology , Retrospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Our main aim was to determine the dermatophyte infection and colonization prevalence in canines from South Santiago, Chile. We studied 241 dogs, 121 of them presented cutaneous lesions suggestive of dermatophytosis and the other 120 were free from lesions and were considered clinically healthy. Dermatophytes were isolated from the lesions of 48.8% of animals with cutaneous diseases and from 5% of healthy dogs. Microsporum canis was the principal species isolated with a frequency of 98.3% from dermatophytosis and from all healthy carriers. The direct microscopic test showed a sensibility of 85% with a positive and negative predictive value of 74 and 79%, respectively. The highest prevalence of dermatophytosis were detected in animals up to one year old (p <= 0.05) and in dogs with high level of irritation, scaly skin, itching and alopecia (p < or = 0.05). The lesions were detected more frequently in head-neck and anterior members (p < or = 0.05). This study shows some clinical characteristics and a frequency of dermatophytes in canines that can be interesting for laboratory professionals and veterinarians.
