Trichophyton Species Isolated from Asymptomatic Patients of the Pet-owner Pair in Mexico

Roberto  Adame- Gomez; Monica  Gisela Rodrigez- Romero; Isabel   Hilario- Alejandro; Sandra   Alheli Pineda- Rodriguez; Jeiry  Toribio- Jimenez; Elvia  Rodriguez- Bataz; Arturo  Ramirez- Peralta

doi:10.18502/cmm.7.2.7029

Roberto Adame- Gomez Microbial Pathometabolism Research Laboratory, The Autonomous University of Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
Monica Gisela Rodrigez- Romero Microbial Pathometabolism Research Laboratory, The Autonomous University of Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
Isabel Hilario- Alejandro Microbial Pathometabolism Research Laboratory, The Autonomous University of Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
Sandra Alheli Pineda- Rodriguez Parasitology Research Laboratory, The Autonomous University of Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
Jeiry Toribio- Jimenez Molecular Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, The Autonomous University of Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
Elvia Rodriguez- Bataz Parasitology Research Laboratory, The Autonomous University of Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México
Arturo Ramirez- Peralta Molecular Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, The Autonomous University of Guerrero, Chilpancingo, México

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.7.2.7029

Keywords: México Mycoses Pet Pet owners

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Superficial mycoses are the fourth most common cause of disease worldwide. It is not surprising that zoonotic transmission occurs to humans due to close contact with different animals, be it companion or farm animals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the presence of asymptomatic dermatophyte carriers in the owner-pet pairs, identify the most common etiologic agents, and find the likely connection between the carrier status of an owner and the presence of dermatophytes in their pets.

Materials and Methods: From May 2019 to January 2020, 21 cats and 115 dogs with their respective owners were selected for dermatophyte culture. All the dogs and cats included in the study were from the communities of southeastern Mexico. The samples were taken with a cotton swab, which was vigorously rubbed and twisted on the scalp or body of the pet four times and grown on Mycosel Agar. The isolates were identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The prevalence of the binomial ranged from 0.73% in pet skin and human hands to 2.2% in human scalp. In humans, the agents were Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton verrucosum, while in pets, a strain of Trichophyton sp was found.

Conclusion: Different species of dermatophytes were found in the owner/pet pairs, which denotes that coexistence is not related in asymptomatic cases.