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Antifungal susceptibility testing of Microsporum canis isolated from the skin of dermatologically healthy cats

Summary

Researchers tested healthy cats in Chile and found that about 5% carried a fungus called Microsporum canis that can cause ringworm. This fungus was resistant to a common antifungal drug called fluconazole. Indoor cats were more likely to carry the fungus than outdoor cats. Because cats can spread this fungus to people, identifying carrier cats is important for preventing human infections.

Background

Microsporum canis is a zoophilic dermatophyte and the most frequent cause of dermatophytosis in companion animals. Cats are considered the main reservoir and can act as asymptomatic carriers, transmitting the fungus to humans and other animals. Few reports have determined the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility of M. canis in healthy cats.

Objective

To determine the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility of dermatophyte strains obtained from dermatologically healthy cats in Talca, Chile. The study aimed to identify carrier status and resistance patterns to various antifungal agents.

Results

Six cats (5.3%) were fungal carriers with M. canis being the only isolated species. All strains were susceptible to clotrimazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, amphotericin B, and nystatin, but all were fluconazole-resistant. Indoor confinement status was the only epidemiological variable significantly associated with fungal carriage.

Conclusion

Microsporum canis was found in 5.3% of healthy cats in Talca with universal fluconazole resistance. The high resistance to fluconazole and association with indoor confinement highlight the need for mycological screening of healthy cats to reduce zoonotic transmission risk.
  • Published in:Open Veterinary Journal,
  • Study Type:Cross-sectional observational study,
  • Source: PMID: 41035972, DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i8.47
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