New pathogenic species in etiology of dermatophytosis in companion animals in Moscow region

Abstract

Dermatophytic fungi Nannizzia persicolor, Nannizzia fulva, Trichophyton benhamiae and Microsporum ferrugineum were isolated from pets (cats, dogs, guinea pig) in Moscow region. The species identification was confirmed by ITS sequencing. Their macro- and micromorphological agent of dermatophytosis in companion animals. A considerable phenotypic polymorphism among M canis isolates was revealed, thus obstructing species identification. A wide prevalence of dermatophytosis in companion animals (46%) was shown, with a predominance of the zooanthropophilic species M. canis (95%). This is the first confirmed cases of pet dermatophytosis caused by N. persicolor, N. fulva, T. benhamiae and M. ferrugineum in Russian Federation.