Dermatophytes isolated from domestic animals in Iran

Summary Between 1994 and 1998, a total of 790 feather, hair and skin specimens from a variety of animals with suspected dermatophytoses were studied, of which 248 (31.4%) yielded dermatophytes. The most frequent dermatophytes isolated were Microsporum canis (38.3%), Trichophyton verrucosum (31.8%), T. mentagrophytes (13.3%) and M. gypseum (7.7%). There was a significantly higher proportion of positive cultures from cats (54.8%) than dogs (8.2%), and M. canis was the most common species isolated (87.2 and 50% respectively). Trichophyton verrucosum was the most frequent causative agent of dermatophytoses in ruminants, M. equinum in horses, M. gypseum in rabbits, M. gallinae in chickens and T. mentagrophytes in pet squirrels. Zusammenfassung Von verschiedenen Haustieren in Iran wurden 790 Proben von Federn, Haaren und Oberhaut auf Dermatophyten untersucht. Von 248 Proben (31,4%) wurden Dermatophyten isoliert. Es handelte sich in absteigender Häufigkeit um Microsporum canis, Trichophytum verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes und M. gypseum. Epidemiologisch bedeutsame Wirte von Dermatophyten waren Katzen, Hunde, Wiederkäuer, Pferde, Kaninchen, Hühner und Eichhörnchen.