Types of dermatophyte on rabbit skin in rabbit caf?s in Chiang Mai province

Abstract

Dermatophytosis or ringworm is a superficial cutaneous infection caused by fungi of the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton and, Epidermophyton. It also has a zoonotic characteristic which can transmit skin diseases between animals and human. While dermatophytes have been investigated extensively in several animal species, the information specifically on rabbits is limited. The aim of this study was to identify species of dermatophytes in rabbit cafés in Chiang Mai. A total of 66 hair samples was collected from rabbits in 3 cafés using hairbrush diagnosis technique. Sabouraud’s Dextrose agar plates containing cycloheximide and chloramphenicol were used as a fungal culture. Types of fungi were identified based on colony characteristics and fungal morphology observed under light microscope. Dermatophytes were detected in 8 from 66 hair samples (12.11%) composed of Microsporum gypseum (7.58%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (3.03%), and Trichophyton verrucosum (1.51%) which were isolated from both rabbits with healthy skin and those with dermatological problems. To prevent transmission to human, good hygiene management in cafés are suggested.