Identification of Microsporum canis in cutaneous lesions of cats from Timis County

Abstract

Dermatophytosis has a practical and medical importance both in the veterinary and human medicine due to its zoonotic potential causing economic problems worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify the etiological agents involved in the appearance of cutaneous lesions. 43 cats were examined, from eight locations in the Timis County, with or without cutaneous lesions at the age of 1 month to 11 years. 37 cats belonged to the European breed, one Birmanese breed, three were Persian and two were British Shorthairs. Samples of hair, squamae and crusts were collected from every animal and placed in Petri plates. Direct microscopic examination of hairs, squamae and crusts was done using the slide and coverslip method, with lactophenol and it was examined using the x10 objective. The sample were cultivated on Sabouraud agar gel and DTM (Dermatophyte test). Microsporum canis was the only one species indentified in the cutaneous lesions (group 1) in 35% out of examinated cats (7/20). In group 2 (asymptomatic cats), the only species identified was Microsporum canis in one individual (1/23 respectively 4.37%).