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Home / Equine Research Bank / Mycopathologia / Saprophytic fungi isolated from the hair of domestic and lab...
Mycopathologia1983; 83(2); 65-73; doi: 10.1007/BF00436886

Saprophytic fungi isolated from the hair of domestic and laboratory animals with suspected dermatophytosis.

Abstract: Hair samples from domestic and laboratory animals with suspected dermatophytosis were examined for the presence of saprophytic fungi. A nutritionally poor base medium, developed by the author, was used in the isolation and identification of the saprophytes. Three hundred and ninety-four specimens were examined of which 246 were from dogs, 75 from cats, 30 from horses, 19 from cows, 12 from guinea pigs, 5 from rats, 2 from parakeets, 2 from chinchillas and one each from a goat, a mink and a lesser panda (Ailurus fulgens). Moulds classified in 32 genera were isolated. The commonest in order of frequency were members of the genera Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Scopulariopsis, Trichoderma and Trichothecium. The yeasts that were isolated were not identified. Aureobasidium pullulans was isolated significantly more often (chi 2 test p less than 0.025) from the dog samples than those from cats, Cladosporium spp. in the samples from dogs than horses, Mucor spp. from the cow samples than horses, Penicillium spp. from the dog samples than those of cats or horses. Skin infections caused by any of the contaminants were not encountered.
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Publication Date: 1983-11-21 PubMed ID: 6669166DOI: 10.1007/BF00436886Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This article investigates the occurrence of non-disease causing fungi, known as saprophytic fungi, in the hair of domestic and laboratory animals suspected of having a fungal skin disease called dermatophytosis. Using a specially designed nutritionally poor base medium, scientists studied hair samples from various animals and identified numerous types of fungi present.

Research Methodology and Sample

  • The scientists collected hair samples from 394 animals suspected of having dermatophytosis. These samples came from a wide range of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, cows, guinea pigs, rats, parakeets, chinchillas, a goat, a mink, and a lesser panda. The majority of the samples were from dogs, followed by cats, and then horses.
  • A base medium low in nutrients was developed and used for the isolation and identification of the saprophytes, the fungi that thrive on decaying organic matter.

Fungi Identification and Results

  • Various moulds belonging to 32 different genera were discovered in the hair samples. The most common genera of fungi found were Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Scopulariopsis, Trichoderma, and Trichothecium.
  • Among these, certain types of fungi were found to be more common in particular animal species. For instance, Aureobasidium pullulans was significantly more common in dog samples compared to cat samples. Similarly, Cladosporium spp. were more commonly found in dog samples than in horse samples; Mucor spp. were more common in cow samples than in horse samples; and Penicillium spp. were significantly more present in dog samples compared to samples from cats or horses.
  • There were also yeasts in the samples, but they were not identified in the study.

Implications of the Study

  • Even though various types of fungi were isolated from the animal hair samples, none of the animals showed signs of skin infections caused by these fungi. This indicates that the presence of these fungi is not necessarily linked to dermatophytosis, the suspected skin disease.
  • This study provides valuable data about the fungal microbiome present in animal hair. Understanding these microbiomes can give insights into the health of the animals and possibly help in the diagnosis or treatment of certain diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Aho R. (1983). Saprophytic fungi isolated from the hair of domestic and laboratory animals with suspected dermatophytosis. Mycopathologia, 83(2), 65-73. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00436886

Publication

Mycopathologia
ISSN: 0301-486X
NlmUniqueID: 7505689
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 83
Issue: 2
Pages: 65-73

Researcher Affiliations

Aho, R

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Animals, Domestic / microbiology
    • Animals, Laboratory / microbiology
    • Carnivora
    • Cats
    • Cattle
    • Chinchilla
    • Culture Media
    • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
    • Dermatomycoses / veterinary
    • Dogs
    • Female
    • Fungi / isolation & purification
    • Goats
    • Guinea Pigs
    • Hair / microbiology
    • Horses
    • Mink
    • Parakeets
    • Rats

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    This article has been cited 11 times.
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