High rate of Microsporum canis feline and canine dermatophytoses in Northeast Brazil: Epidemiological and diagnostic features

Over a one year period (November 2000-December 2001), clinical specimens from 189 dogs and 38 cats, from the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, were examined at the Specialized Medical Mycology Center at the Federal University of Ceará to detect animals with dermatophytoses. The mycological analyses were conducted by direct microscopy and by fungal culture on Sabouraud agar, Sabouraud chloramphenicol agar and Mycosel agar. Dermatophytes were isolated from 27 of the 189 (14.3%) canine specimens and 14 of the 38 (36.8%) feline specimens. The identified dermatophytes were Microsporum canis (95%), M. gypseum (2.5%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (2.5%). Microsporum canis was the most common species isolated (92.6% and 100%, for dogs and cats respectively). The percentage of positive direct microscopic examinations of clinical specimens and positive cultures was 61%. There was a high proportion of positive cultures from cats less than 1 year of age, but in dogs no significant differences were detected. There were no significant differences between the sexes. Dermatophytes were more frequently isolated in March, April and May, but no significant differences were detected in the seasonal distribution of canine and feline dermatophytoses.