Chrysosporium parvum

From Felipedia

Chrysosporium parvum is a fungus commonly isolated from the skin of cats.

Although C. parvum can be keratinolytic, it is usually considered non-pathogenic since it occurs in only 2% of isolated cultures taken from the skin of cats^[1][2]. Systemic infections by C. parvum have not yet been reported in cats, but have been reported in dogs^[3].

Other known species of keratinolytic Crysosporium isolated from cats include:

• Chrysosporium keratinophilum
• Chrysosporium tropicum
• Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma tuberculatum
• Chrysosporium pannorum^[4]

The clinical importance of these fungi is that they may be shed by infected pets and contribute to the development and propagation of fungal spores in households and veterinary clinics, exposing a risk of infection from the environment^[5].

As well, the frequent infestation by the mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae suggests that mites may play a part in the carriage of fungi among animals. This mycophagous mite could disperse the fungi in animal hair by way of their fecal pellets during a transitory infestation. In this instance, the female mite can lay eggs and these could hatch on the animal's hair or in Petri dishes in which hair samples are cultured. In this event the future prospects of animal prophylaxis against dermatophytes could be made more effective by the regular use of acaricide agents on animal hair^[6].

References

1. ↑ Simpanya, MF & Baxter, M (1996) Isolation of fungi from the pelage of cats and dogs using the hairbrush technique. Mycopathologia 134(3):129-33
2. ↑ Guzman-Chavez, RE et al (2000) Presence of keratinophilic fungi with special reference to dermatophytes on the haircoat of dogs and cats in México and Nezahualcoyotl cities. Rev Latinoam Microbiol 42(1):41-4
3. ↑ Watt PR, Robins GM, Galloway AM, O'Boyle DA. (1995) Disseminated opportunistic fungal disease in dogs: 10 cases (1982-1990). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 207(1):67-70
4. ↑ Efuntoye MO, Fashanu SO. (2002) Fungi isolated from skins and pens of healthy animals in Nigeria. Mycopathologia 153(1):21-3
5. ↑ Mancianti, F & Papini, R (1996) Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from the floors of private veterinary clinics in Italy. Vet Res Commun 20(2):161-6
6. ↑ Caretta G, Mancianti F, Ajello L (1989) Dermatophytes and keratinophilic fungi in cats and dogs. Mycoses. 32(12):620-6