Mating experiments were performed to elucidate the distribution of perfect state of Microsporum gypseum complex originating from animals and soils in Korea. A total of 30 strains of M. gypseum complex, composed of 16 from animals and 14 from soils, mated with the tester strains of Nannizzia incurvata, N. gypsea and N. fulva. Among 30 strains of M. gypseum complex examined, 16 strains (53.3%) were N. incurvata, 13 strains (43.3%) N. gypsea and 1 strain (3.3%) N. fulva. Among 13 strains of dog isolates, 8 strains (61.5%) were N. incurvata and 5 strains (38.5%) N. gypsea. And each strain isolated from Korean native goat, monkey and albino rat was N. gypsea. Among 14 strains of soil isolates, 8 strains (57.2%) were N. incurvata, 5 strains (35.7%) N. gypsea and 1 strain (7.2%) N. fulva. And - mating type was more frequently obseved than + mating type in the strains of N. incurvata and N. gypsea. By this study, N. fulva was isolated the first time in Korea.

The IgG and IgM classes of antibodies to a water-soluble antigen preparation derived from microsporum canis were determined by ELISA in the sera of 79 cats with dermatophytosis confirmed by results of fungal culture, and of 46 specific-pathogen-free-derived, barrier-maintained cats with no previous exposure to dermatophytes. Of the 79 cats with dermatophytosis, the species isolated were: M canis from 72, M gypseum from 6, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes from 1. Concentrations of soluble M canis antigen-specific IgG and IgM were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the cats with dermatophytosis than in the control cats. The IgG concentration was larger than or equal to 2.0 ELISA units/ ml in 71% of the cats with dermatophytosis and in 9% of the control cats, whereas IgM concentration was greater than or equal to 4.0 ELISA units/ml in 38% of the cats with dermatophytosis and in 11% of control cats. There was no significant difference in either IgG or IgM values between the cats with M canis infection and those with other non-M canis dermatophyte infections.

The fungal flora of the coat of 172 healthy pet cats was examined qualitatively. Fungi were isolated from 136 (79%) of the 172 cats. Fifteen genera were isolated; 13 are commonly regarded as saprophytes, and 2 (Microsporum and Trichophyton) are commonly regarded as pathogens. Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium, and Cladosporium spp were the most frequently isolated saprophytes. Dermatophytic fungi, including Microsporum gypseum (n = 1), M vanbreuseghemii (n = 1), and Trichophyton rubrum (n = 14), were recovered from 16 cats. Microsporum canis was not isolated from any cat during this study.

The present studies were conducted to determine the causative agent of dermatophytosis occurred in two pigs from a farm in Sachun, Gyeongnam province in Korea. Brownish or greyish white crusty lesions and partial loss of hairs in these lesions were observed on the trunk of the pigs but no alopecia and pruritus were observed. Direct microscopic and cultural examination were performed for the hairs and crusts from skin lesions and the causative agent was identified as Microsporum nanum

Attempts were made to determine the clinical features and the causative organism of ringworm occurring in a cat in Chinju city, Korea. Alopecia and greyish white crusty lesions were obseved around the eye, nose and posterior limb while irregular, partial loss of hairs and white scales were in the ear, neck and abdomen lesions. Direct microscopic and cultural examination were carried out for the hairs and crusts taken from the skin lesions, and the causative organism was identified as M. canis

Wild animals can be natural reservoirs of different microorganisms, essential for monitoring these pathogens for the generation of knowledge and creation of tools aimed at programs for the prevention and control of infectious diseases, including zoonoses. The objective was to report the fungal diversity in the skin of pacas in captivity in Acre, Western Amazon, Brazil. Twenty-six animals were evaluated, from which skin samples were collected by superficial scraping, hair avulsion, and sterile plastic brush. The samples were seeded on Mycosel agar, and the phenotypic characteristics of the colonies were analyzed. In 80.8% of the samples, different fungi were isolated, from the genera Candida, Microsporum, and Trichophyton, among others. This is the first description of the identification of fungi in the skin of pacas and suggests that these animals can be considered essential reservoirs of saprophytic or pathogenic microorganisms with zoonotic potential in the Western Amazon.

<p>For the diagnosis of superficial mycoses, the clinical aspects and cultivation of fungi for further identification are usually considered. Identification, however, is time consuming and at least 4 weeks are needed for a positive laboratory report. In Brazil, the use of Wood’s light is not a routine screen test, especially in Veterinary Medicine. Thus, the present paper has the aim to evaluate the availability, the sensitivity and the specificity of the Wood's light in detecting fungal diseases because not all dermatomycoses are readily detected by this method. The fluorescence results were compared to those of fungi cultures of hair specimens from animals suspected of dermatophytes or yeast infections. The culture media used were the Sabouraud and the Mycose I Agar. From February 1989 to April 1990 the Dermatology Service of the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital attended 282 animals presenting lesions very suggestive of fungal diseases. From these, 162 (57.4%) were dogs and the remaining 120 (42.5%) were cats, of both sexes and of various ages and breeds. After performing dermatologie examination, the lesions were submitted to the Wood's light (250 nm) and fluorescence was observed in 70 (24.5%) cases. After the inoculation and in vitro cultivation of clinical specimens from either fluorescent and non-fluorescent lesions, positive fungal growth was found in 109 cases, 103 of these identified as dermatophytes or pathogenic yeast. The clear fluorescence was found only in Microsporum canis infection. The results of fluorescence and fungal growth were in accordance in 64.5% of the cases. The efficiency of the Wood's light in dogs and cats, compared to the mycological examination was respectively: sensitivity - 39.1% and 73.8%; specificity - 89.2% and 80.7%; possibility of diagnosis - 82.0% and 78.0%; predictable value of positive test - 37.5% and 67.3%; and predictable value of negative test - 89.8% and 85.1%. Epidemiologic aspects of dermalophytoses and yeast infections and fungi species isolated in cultures are furthermore discussed.</p> | <p>Para o diagnóstico das infecções fúngicas superficiais recorre-se aos aspectos clínicos, exame direto, e de cultivo micológico. Este último exige período mínimo de quatro semanas para a obtenção dos resultados. O exame com o uso de luz fluorescente (lâmpada de Wood) não é habitualmente utilizado como teste de triagem em medicina veterinária, no Brasil. Objetiva-se avaliar a praticabilidade, sensibilidade e especificidade do uso da luz de Wood, com fins diagnósticos, comparando-se os resultados obtidos, com cultivo micológico em ágares Sabouraud e Mycosel (DIFCO), de pelame colhido de animais suspeitos de estarem infectados por dermatófitos ou leveduras. No período de fevereiro de 1989 a abril de 1990 atenderam-se no Serviço de Dermatologia do VCM/HOVET, 282 animais (162 cães - 57,4% e 120 gatos - 42,6%), com e sem precisa definição racial, de ambos os sexos e de diferentes faixas etárias, que apresentavam lesões sugestivas de infecção fúngica. Após o exame dermatológico direto, procedeu-se a exposição das lesões à luz de Wood (250 nm), assinalando-se fluorescência em 70 (24,5%) casos. Após a semeadura e o cultivo do material colhido das lesões, quer das fluorescentes como daquelas que não fluoresceram, verificou-se crescimento em 109 casos, sendo que, em 103 houve crescimento de dermatófitos ou leveduras patogênicos. Somente nos casos de infecção pelo Microsporum canis houve evidente fluorescência. Houve coincidência entre os resultados obtidos pela inspeção indireta (luz de Wood) e aqueles obtidos no cultivo micológico em 64,5% dos casos. A eficiência relativa da luz de Wood comparada ao exame micológico foi, respectivamente, para cães e gatos: sensibilidade -39,1% e 73,8%; especificidade - 89,2% e 80,7%; concordância - 82% e 78%; valor preditivo positivo - 37,5% e 67,3% e valor preditivo negativo - 89,8% e 85,1%. Discutem-se, ainda, os aspectos epidemiológicos das dermatofitoses e leveduroses e as espécies fúngicas isoladas no material cultivado.</p>

Para o diagnóstico das infecções fúngicas superficiais recorre-se aos aspectos clínicos, exame direto, e de cultivo micológico. Este último exige período mínimo de quatro semanas para a obtenção dos resultados. O exame com o uso de luz fluorescente (lâmpada de Wood) não é habitualmente utilizado como teste de triagem em medicina veterinária, no Brasil. Objetiva-se avaliar a praticabilidade, sensibilidade e especificidade do uso da luz de Wood, com fins diagnósticos, comparando-se os resultados obtidos, com cultivo micológico em ágares Sabouraud e Mycosel (DIFCO), de pelame colhido de animais suspeitos de estarem infectados por dermatófitos ou leveduras. No período de fevereiro de 1989 a abril de 1990 atenderam-se no Serviço de Dermatologia do VCM/HOVET, 282 animais (162 cães - 57,4% e 120 gatos - 42,6%), com e sem precisa definição racial, de ambos os sexos e de diferentes faixas etárias, que apresentavam lesões sugestivas de infecção fúngica. Após o exame dermatológico direto, procedeu-se a exposição das lesões à luz de Wood (250 nm), assinalando-se fluorescência em 70 (24,5%) casos. Após a semeadura e o cultivo do material colhido das lesões, quer das fluorescentes como daquelas que não fluoresceram, verificou-se crescimento em 109 casos, sendo que, em 103 houve crescimento de dermatófitos ou leveduras patogênicos. Somente nos casos de infecção pelo Microsporum canis houve evidente fluorescência. Houve coincidência entre os resultados obtidos pela inspeção indireta (luz de Wood) e aqueles obtidos no cultivo micológico em 64,5% dos casos. A eficiência relativa da luz de Wood comparada ao exame micológico foi, respectivamente, para cães e gatos: sensibilidade -39,1% e 73,8%; especificidade - 89,2% e 80,7%; concordância - 82% e 78%; valor preditivo positivo - 37,5% e 67,3% e valor preditivo negativo - 89,8% e 85,1%. Discutem-se, ainda, os aspectos epidemiológicos das dermatofitoses e leveduroses e as espécies fúngicas isoladas no material cultivado.