Crvena lisica (Vulpes vulpes) i egipatski mungos (Herpestes ichneumon) kao prijenosnici dermatofita u Portugalu

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is a common dermatological infection, affecting humans, pets, domestic ruminants and wild animals. It is a cause for concern as it represents a risk to public and animal health. The aim of this study was to describe the occurrence of dermatophyte infection in wild mammals (road-killed and hunted) in Portugal. Fungal isolation was performed on the fur and scales of 101 wild mammals. Based on the observation of microstructures and colony morphology, fungal isolates were identified to the genus level. Dermatophytes were found in two of the 10 studied species: 3/51 (5.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0–12.3%) red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and 5/19 (2.6%; 95% CI: 0.0–9.8%) Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon). These species represent different taxonomic families: Canidae and Viverridae and it is therefore important to infer the role of infection in these animals studied for dermatophytosis.