Characterization of asymptomatic carriers of dermatophytes in cats of the Persian breed (Persian cats) raised in private homes or in shelters in the city of Sao Paulo

• Grant number: 12/11048-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: July 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Eduardo Larsson
• Grantee: Cayo Yuji Nitta
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In veterinary medicine, the occurrence of skin diseases in small animals may exceed 30% of routine clinical cases. Dermatophytoses are superficial infections that affect semi-keratinized or keratinized portions integument and faneros. It is a rare disease in dogs, however it is fairly common in cats, mainly or particulary in those of long coat breed, an then Persian is the most prone one. Given the magnitude of occurrence of ringworm in cats, associated with its potential role as a reservoir and disseminator of zoonosis, especially in asymptomatic Persian cats, the present study aims to characterize the frequency of isolation of dermatophytes in these animals. Around 30 healthy Persian cats, male or female, regardless of age, resident in private households or catteries will be evaluated. Aside from direct inspection, the Lamp Wood, otoscopy (Welch Allyn Otoscope®) will be used and, if necessary, the parasitological examination will also be performed on fur, skin scrapings and cerumen. The animals will be subjected to collection of coat, using square (5x5cm) sterile carpet, which will be rubbed across the cutaneous surface. After harvesting, the material will be modeled in Petri dishes containing Sabouraud dextrose agar (DIFCO ®) and incubated at 25 ° C for 21 days at the Laboratory of Pathogenic dimorphic fungi (ICB-USP). If the growth of dermatophyte disclosures, it will be identified by morphological analysis, using the technique of giant colony and microscopic morphology by cultured on slides. The results will be tabulated and analyzed according to positivity by gender and age.(AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NITTA, CAYO YUJI; TEIXEIRA DANIEL, ALEXANDRE GONCALVES; TABORDA, CARLOS PELLESCHI; SANTANA, ALINE ELISA; LARSSON, CARLOS EDUARDO. Isolation of Dermatophytes from the Hair Coat of Healthy Persian Cats without Skin Lesions from Commercial Catteries Located in Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, v. 44, DEC 28 2016. (12/11048-1)