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PubMed1987

Separation of cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins of Microsporum canis.

The cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins of Microsporum canis were characterised in basic-acidic and basic-SDS two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis systems. The small subunit contained 28 proteins and the large subunit 38 proteins. The molecular weights of these proteins were in the range of 32,500 to 7600 and 48,000 to 11,000 in the small and large subunits, respectively. The 80S ribosomes showed 65 and 66 protein spots in basic-acidic and basic-SDS gel systems, respectively.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗
PubMed2005

Antifungal susceptibility and genotypical pattern of Microsporum canis strains.

Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that are capable of invading keratinized tissues of humans and other animals. Antifungal susceptibility analysis and genetic studies by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), have been used to detect polymorphism as well as determining the possible resistance of dermatophytes to antifungals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlation between the antifungal susceptibility and genotypical pattern of Microsporum canis strains isolated in dogs and cats with dermatophytosis in Northeast Brazil. The antifungal susceptibility study was conducted using the broth microdilution test with griseofulvine, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole. The genotypical analysis was performed using the RAPD method. The antifungal susceptibility analysis showed that all the strains of M. canis analyzed (n = 22) were sensitive to griseofulvine (0.25 microg/mL < or minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) < or = 1 microg/mL), ketoconazole (0.25 microg/mL < or = MIC < or = 2 microg/mL), itraconazole (0.25 microg/mL < or = MIC < or = 1 microg/mL), and fluconazole (1 microg/mL < or = MIC < or = 16 microg/mL). The RAPD results showed that all analyzed strains are genetically similar. Thus, based on antifungal susceptibility analysis and RAPD data, a possible correlation can be shown between the antifungal susceptibility and the genotypical pattern of the strains of M. canis from Northeast Brazil.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The in vitro and in vivo production of a 31.5-kD keratinolytic subtilase from Microsporum canis and the clinical status in naturally infected cats.

BACKGROUND: Microsporum-canis-infected cats, especially the asymptomatic infected ones, are mainly responsible for the zoonotic disease. The important variability of the clinical signs in cats is poorly understood. Recently, a 31.5-kD keratinolytic subtilase was found to be a putative virulence factor. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible relationship between the clinical status of dermatophytic cats and the production of the keratinase. METHODS: Seven M. canis strains isolated either from clinically affected, asymptomatic infected or mechanical carrier cats were tested for the in vitro production of the enzyme. The immunohistochemical detection of the enzyme was also assessed in skin biopsies of 4 symptomatic and 7 asymptomatic naturally infected cats. RESULTS: All the strains produced in vitro a 31.5-kD keratinolytic subtilase. The enzyme was present in all but 1 of the infected cats. CONCLUSION: The production of the keratinase is not a factor directly responsible for the clinical picture seen in M.-canis-infected cats.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Dermatophytic granuloma caused by Microsporum canis in a heart-lung recipient.

We present a case of dermatophytic granuloma caused by Microsporum canis in a heart-lung recipient. This 66-year-old man was seen for erythematous pustules and papules on the forearm. The diagnosis was suspected after histological examination showing an inflammatory infiltrate in the upper dermis with giant cells containing intracytoplasmic fungal elements. Cultures of the skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis identifying M. canis. Our case emphasizes the possibility of deep dermatophytic infections in immunocompromised patients. There are only 4 additional reports of M. canis infection responsible for invasion of the dermis in such patients. The follicle involvement probably explains these dermal lesions due to the progression of the dermatophyte from the hair follicle to the dermis. In our observation topical antifungal therapy alone was unsuccessful and fluconazole seems to be the treatment of choice for these M. canis invasive dermal cutaneous infections.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Is Microsporum canis infection about to become a serious dermatological problem?

In Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the incidence of Microsporum canis infection has been on a steep increase during the recent years. In some countries (Italy) and geographic areas (Slovenia), M. canis is the most often isolated dermatophyte. In Slovenia (Yugoslavia), a dramatic increase in the incidence of M. canis infection has been observed recently, both in absolute figures and as compared to the rest of isolated dermatophytes. M. canis is a cause of tinea most prevalent in children. All attempts made during the past 6 years to eliminate the natural source of infection, represented mainly by stray cats, have failed. M. canis infection is becoming a serious epidemiologic problem in Europe. For its solution, integrated efforts of medical and veterinary services, and probably more stringent rules and controls in this particular area, will be required.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Persistence of antibodies in blood and body fluids in decaying fox carcasses, as exemplified by antibodies against Microsporum canis.

To assist in evaluating serological test results from dead animals, 10 silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 10 blue foxes (Alopex lagopus), 6 of each species previously vaccinated against and all challenged with Microsporum canis, were blood sampled and euthanased. Fox carcasses were stored at +10 degrees C, and autopsy was performed on Days 0, 2, 4, 7, and 11 post mortem during which samples from blood and/or body fluid from the thoracic cavity were collected. Antibodies against M. canis were measured in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as absorbance values (optical density; OD). To assess the degradation of antibodies, the ratio between post mortem and ante mortem absorbance was calculated. The mean absorbance from samples collected during autopsy was generally lower than from samples from live animals. In blood samples, this difference increased significantly with time (P = 0.04), while in body fluid samples the difference decreased (not significant; P = 0.18). We suggest that a positive serological result from testing blood or body fluid of a dead animal may be regarded as valuable, although specific prevalences obtained by screening populations based on this type of material may represent an under-estimation of the true antibody prevalence. Negative serological test results based on material from carcasses may be less conclusive, taken into account the general degradation processes in decaying carcasses, also involving immunoglobulin proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Antifungal effect of eugenol and nerolidol against Microsporum gypseum in a guinea pig model.

Essential oils have been widely used in anti-infectious application. In the present study, we elucidated the antifungal activities of eugenol and nerolidol isolated from Japanese cypress oil in a guinea pig model infected by Microsporum gypseum (M. gypseum). A minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), skin lesion scoring, hair culture and histopathologic examination of skin tissues were performed to evaluate the antifungal effect of these oils. The MICs of eugenol, nerolidol and econazole (positive control) were 0.01-0.03% and 0.5-2% and 4-16 microg/ml, respectively. Based on these MICs, eugenol and nerolidol were adjusted to 10% concentration with a base of Vaseline petroleum jelly and were applied topically to the skin lesion infected with M. gypseum daily for 3 weeks. Both eugenol and nerolidol were clinically effective at improving the lesion during the first week of application, as determined by skin lesion scoring. Nerolidol improved the skin lesions infected by M. gypseum, but eugenol did not, as determined in the hair culture test. Histopathologic examination revealed that the eugenol- and nerolidol-treated groups had a lower degree of hyperkeratosis and inflammatory cell infiltration than the positive control. Taken together, these results suggest that eugenol and nerolidol could apply supplementary antifungal agents.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

A new radical scavenging anthracene glycoside, asperflavin ribofuranoside, and polyketides from a marine isolate of the fungus microsporum.

A new anthracene glycoside, asperflavin ribofuranoside (1), and the previously described polyketides, flavoglaucin (2), isodihydroauroglaucin (3), and citrinin (4) have been isolated from the marine-derived fungus Microsporum sp. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of a new compound (1) was assigned on the basis of physicochemical data. Compounds 1-3 exhibited a significant radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with IC(50) values of 14.2, 11.3, and 11.5 microM, respectively, which are more potent than the positive control, ascorbic acid (IC(50), 20 microM). Compound 1 also showed a moderate antibacterial activity against the methicillin-resistant and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MDRSA) with MIC value of 50 microg/ml.

Anthracenes↗
PubMed1998

An outbreak of a mixed infection of Dermatophilus congolensis and Microsporum gypseum in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Saudi Arabia.

Although both Dermatophilus congolensis and Microsporum gypseum infections have been reported separately in camels, mixed infection involving both agents has not been reported to date. The authors describe a mixed infection of D. congolensis and M. gypseum in camels reared on a dairy farm in Saudi Arabia. A total of 131 out of 559 camels (23.4%) were affected. Forty-eight camels less than one year of age had discrete, circumscribed, crusty, hairless lesions, found in particular on the neck and forelegs. Eighty-three camels of varying ages had extensive hair matting with crusty, hairless lesions, especially on the flanks. Camel calves and young camels demonstrated a relatively greater amount of skin lesions. D. congolensis and M. gypseum were diagnosed by direct microscopy, isolation and histopathology.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed2003

Effects of lufenuron treatment in cats on the establishment and course of Microsporum canis infection following exposure to infected cats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of lufenuron treatment in cats on the establishment and course of Microsporum canis infection following exposure to infected cats. DESIGN: Experimental trial. ANIMALS: 24 healthy juvenile domestic shorthair cats. PROCEDURE: 8 cats were given lufenuron PO (133 mg/cat/mo, equivalent to a dose of 100 to 130 mg/kg [45 to 59 mg/lb] at the beginning of the study and 25 to 35 mg/kg [11 to 16 mg/lb] at the end of the study), and 8 were given lufenuron SC (40 mg every 6 months). The remaining 8 were used as untreated control cats. After 4 months, cats were challenged by the introduction of cats with mild, experimentally induced M canis infection into the rooms where cats were housed. Extent of resulting infections in the naïve cats was monitored for 22 weeks by physical examination and fungal culture. RESULTS: All lufenuron-treated and control cats became infected with M canis. Cats treated with lufenuron had significantly lower infection scores, compared with control cats, during the early weeks following exposure, and there was a more prolonged initial progression phase of the infection. Once infections reached peak intensity, they resolved over similar periods in lufenuron-treated and control cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that oral or SC administration of lufenuron to cats, at the dosages used and under the conditions of this study, did not prevent establishment of dermatophytosis following exposure to infected cats. Infection was established more slowly among cats treated with lufenuron, but once established, infection resolved in approximately the same amount of time in lufenuron-treated as in control cats.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of an extracellular keratinase from Microsporum canis.

Extracellular keratinase (Ekase) 48-, 34- and 31.5-kDa polypeptides, which were isolated from Microsporum canis and examined by immunoblotting reacted with a monoclonal antibody against Ekase of M. canis. We analyzed the amino acid and determined the first 17 amino acid NH2-terminal sequences of the 48-, 34- and 31.5-kDa polypeptides. These polypeptides had a high aspartic acid, glycine and alanine content, respectively. The first 17 amino acid residues of the 34-kDa polypeptide were homologous to those of thermomycolin. This indicated that the 34-kDa polypeptide of Ekase is homologous to the thermomycolin produced by Malbranchea pulchella. Furthermore, Ekase was very heat-stable in the presence of 50 mM CaCl2 at 55 degrees C, since 50% of the initial activity remained. In contrast, no activity was detected after heating in the absence of CaCl2. These results indicate a close relationship between dermatophytes and M. pulchella.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

[Two cases of tinea capitis by Microsporum ferrugineum believed infected in Myanmar].

We report two cases of tinea capitis by Microsporum (M) ferrugineum. A two year old boy (case 1) visited our hospital 3 months after his return from Myanmar. About a year later, we observed the same symptom on the scalp of his mother (case 2). In both cases itraconazole was effective clinically and mycologically. In Japan, although M. ferrugineum was the most common organism of tinea capitis before the 1960s, no cases of tinea are found caused by this species nowdays. We believe these cases to have been infected in Myanmar, and suggest the possibility that tinea caused by M. ferrugineum may become a re-emergent infection or an imported fungal disease in Japan.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Isozyme variation of Microsporum canis and M. cookei from New Zealand.

Fifty-four isolates of Microsporum canis (Arthroderma otae) from humans, cats and dogs obtained from Auckland, Palmerston North and Wellington, New Zealand and 18 M. cookei and two Diheterospori spp. from soils were examined for variation using eight isozyme loci. M. canis isolates were from infected and non-infected cases. Isozyme analysis separated the three species which were further subdivided into electrophoretic types (ETs). Clustering analysis using normalized percentage disagreement (PTC) average linkage method revealed two clusters for M. cookei with two subclusters in cluster 2. M. canis had three main divisions (clusters 3, 4 and 5) and Diheterospora formed a separate division. The presence of isolates from different sources in the same clusters and lack of statistical significance as measured by confidence intervals suggests the existence of isolates with common lineage.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Histopathological pattern and humoral immune response to a crude exo-antigen and purified keratinase of Microsporum canis in symptomatic and asymptomatic infected cats.

In order to understand better the mechanisms involved in the diverse clinical patterns in Microsporum canis-infected cats, the histopathological features were compared in symptomatic and asymptomatic infected cats. Additionally, the IgG immune response to a crude exo-antigen and purified keratinase of M. canis was studied by ELISA in cats of various clinical and mycological status. Acute and subacute perifolliculitis and folliculitis occurred more frequently in symptomatic than asymptomatic cats. The latter usually displayed signs of chronic inflammation and a marked infiltration of superficial dermis by mast cells, which would suggest that these animals present similarities to chronically dermatophytic humans or animals. When using a crude M. canis antigen, all infected cats were shown to have significantly higher levels of specific IgG when compared to culture negative and mechanical carrier-cats. In these non-infected animals, specific IgG was more frequently detected in adults than in young animals. No difference in anti-crude antigen specific IgG was observed between symptomatic and asymptomatic infected cats, indicating that the presence of IgG is probably unrelated to the clinical status of cats. Anti-keratinase specific IgG was only detected in one of the infected cats.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Study of diseases of the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Italy. First isolation of the dermatophyte Microsporum cookei.

The ecological risks connected with the introduction of the North American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Italy are many. Of particular importance is the conservation of the native red squirrel (S. vulgaris) population, since the experience from the British Isles showed that where the grey squirrel was introduced, the autochthonous red squirrel became extinct. To determine the health status of grey squirrels trapped and euthanasized during an eradication campaign in the Piedmont region, various analyses were carried out. This paper describes a preliminary mycological investigation. Microsporum cookei, a geophilic dermatophyte, was isolated for the first time from grey squirrels.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Purification and characterization of a 315 kDa keratinolytic subtilisin-like serine protease from Microsporum canis and evidence of its secretion in naturally infected cats.

A keratinolytic protease, secreted as the major component by a feline clinical isolate of Microsporum canis cultivated in a minimal medium containing cat keratin, was purified by affinity chromatography on bacitracin agarose and gel filtration. The apparent molecular mass of the enzyme was 31.5 kDa and the pI was 11.8. The enzyme was not glycosylated and its first 15 N-terminal amino acids showed numerous similarities with other fungal subtilisins. The optimum pH was around 9 while inactivation of the enzyme was reversible at pH 4, but not at pH 11. The enzyme was stable at 37 degrees C with an apparent optimum temperature around 55 degrees C. PMSF, soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) and chymostatin strongly inhibited the proteinase. The highest affinity (Km of 0.37 mM) and physiological efficiency (k(cat)/Km) were obtained for the synthetic substrate N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide. These results indicate that the keratinase belongs to the subtilisin-like serine protease family. Purified rabbit immunoglobulins G prepared against the keratinase and used in an immunohistochemical test allowed the detection of the keratinase produced by the fungus invading hair structures in naturally infected cats. The in vitro keratinolytic activity of the enzyme and its production in vivo suggest that it may contribute to pathogenicity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Humoral and cellular immune response to a crude exo-antigen and purified keratinase of Microsporum canis in experimentally infected guinea pigs.

In order to understand better the host-parasite relationship and to compare with previous observations in Microsporum canis naturally infected cats, the humoral and cellular immune responses to both a crude exo-antigen and a 31.5 kDa purified keratinase were evaluated in 12 M. canis experimentally infected guinea pigs. Humoral and cellular responses were assessed by ELISA from days 0 to 56 postinfection (PI) and by measurement of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses on days 14 and 57 PI, respectively. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining was performed and demonstrated that the keratinase was produced in infected guinea pig skin, as previously reported in cats. Despite a marked interindividual variation, all the guinea pigs produced specific IgG to the crude exo-antigen from day 21 PI onwards, but no anti-keratinase IgG was detected. Strongly positive DTH responses to the exo-antigen were observed on both dates, whereas the keratinase elicited no and weak DTH on days 14 and 57 PI, respectively. These results are in agreement with those previously described for naturally infected cats, and indicate that the 31.5 kDa keratinase is not a major antigen in M. canis infection.

Animals↗