Multiple cases of feline dermatophytosis due to Microsporum canis transmitted to their owners

Zoophilic dermatophytes such as Microsporum canis are significant causal agents of ringworm in many areas of the world. The present study was designed to investigate epidemiological factors of Microsporum canis that transmitted from cats to their owners diagnosed with dermatophytosis. From January 2011 to January 2014, thirty cats and their owners with dermatophytosis lesions were examined. Direct examination carried out on hair and skin samples with 10%KOH and Lacto phenol blue. Fungal cultures were performed by Sabouraud’s dextrose agar with chloramphenicol (0.5%) and actidione. Colonies were identified on their morphology and microscopic characteristics. Lesions in cats were single or multiple in different types, mostly localized on the face and head. However, they were found on any part of the body, including the distal part of the legs and the tail. Among 30 cats with dermatophytosis 53.3% were female and 47.7% were male. Their age ranged from 2 months to 7 years. The affected sites were head and face (n=20), legs and trunk (n=13). The exposed sites were those most often affected. Single and multiple eruptions were observed in 20 and 10 cats, respectively. In the owners, the disease type was tinea corporis in 20 and tinea capitis in 3patients. No combination of tinea corporis and tinea capitis was observed. In most cases the lesions were moderate to severe. No resistance to antifungal treatment was found. Apart from direct contact with infected cats, no predisposing factor was found in this study.