EVALUATION OF THE ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIER STATE OF DERMATOPHYTES IN CATS (Felis Catus-LINNAEUS, 1793) DESTINED TO ADOPTION IN ZOONOSES CONTROL CENTERS AND ANIMAL PROTECTION SOCIETIES.

Abstract

Dermatophytosis are superficial mycotic infections caused by keratolytic fungi of the
Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton genera. This is the main feline tegumentary
mycotic infection, although many cats can be assymptomatic carriers of fungal artrospores,
working as a source of environmental contamination and infection to other animals and
humans. In humans it affects mainly children and pre-adolescents, elderly and immunocompromised host, also being responsible for occupational dermatosis. The purpose
of this paper was to evaluate the importance of assymptomatic cats destined for adoption in
Zoonosis Control Centers, animal protection societies and animal shelters as carriers and
disseminators of dermatophytes, besides identifying the epidemiologycal factors that
contribute to this condition. For this purpose, samples of fur and scaled skin were collected
from 100 cats, and cultivated at Mycosel Agar. It was observed 40% of positivity to
Microsporum canis. The present study highlights the importance of cats as source of infection
of this dermatophyte (p<0,001), mainly in young animals, being observed 88,8% of positivity
(p<0,01).