Dermatophytosis caused by a Chrysosporium species in two cats in Turkey: a case report

Abstract

Dermatophytes are infectious agents and can cause the zoonotic disease dermatophytosis in animals and humans. Keratinophilic fungi and especially dermatophytes can be detected on the hair coat and skin of cats. The aim of this report is to present a rarely seen dermatophytic skin disease in cats. Two Persian cats, living in the same house, were found to be positive for Chyrososporium spp. using mycological culture. At that time the owner of the cats was undergoing chemotherapy for a mammary tumour. This treatment led to low immunity, intensive pruritus and also to scaling on the inside of her arms. Chrysosporium spp. were also detected in the cats' owner. Antifungal therapy was applied with fluconazole to both cats. Because of widespread lesions and alopecia, intravenous fluconazole was administered with a saline solution. The lesions improved inside a six week period after fluconazole therapy and no adverse effects were observed.