- Email: [email protected]
Isolation of Microsporum Audouinii from a Dog1
ISOLATION OF MICROSPOR UM A UDO UIN1I FROM A DOG * WILLIAM KAPLAN, D.V.M. AND LUCILLE K. GEORC, PH.D.
The dermatophyte, Micros porum audouinii, is the most common cause of epidermic tinea capitis of children in this country. Epidemics involving thousands of school children have been reported from all parts of the United States. This fungus is considered by most investigators to be anthropophilic. However, there
are recorded in the literature three cases of lower animal infections. In two instances M. audouinii was isolated from dogs (1, 2) and in one case from a monkey
(3). That lower animals may be parasitized by this dermatophyte is apparent; however, the paucity of reported cases would indicate that such infections are rare.
The present paper records the isolation of M. audouinii from a dog found to be spontaneous]y infected by this fungus. REPORT OF A CASE
In response to an advertisement in a local newspaper, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania purchased a 10-week-old, female, boxer puppy from a local breeder on March 10, 1956. At the time of the purchase, the prospective owner carefully examined the dog for signs of visible abnormalities. The puppy appeared to be normal in every respect and the animal was brought home. There were no other
pets in the household. Approximately two weeks before this family acquired the dog, two of the owner's children, both males, 8 and 9 years of age respectively, were found by a
local physician to have tinea capitis. The diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical appearance and fluorescence of hairs under the Wood's lamp. Cultures were not taken to determine the species of dermatophyte involved. The other members of the family, which included the man himself, his wife, age 36, and two daughters, 13 and 14 years of age respectively, were all normal. On March 16, 1956, the man noticed the development of small erythematous patches of alopeeia on various parts of the puppy's body. On March 19, 1956, the
dog was taken to a local veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment of the dermatitis. The attending veterinarian examined the puppy and found multiple, circular, scaly, erythematous areas of alopecia, up to 3 cm. in diameter, on the ventral surface of the abdomen and chest and on the anterior surface of the left front leg. A clinical diagnosis of ringworm was made, and the attending veterinarian submitted, for mycologic examination, hair and skin scrapings collected from the lesions. On the basis of the clinical diagnosis the veterinarian prescribed the applica-
tion of tincture of iodine to the affected areas each morning and a medicated *From the Communicable Disease Center, Public Health Service, U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Atlanta, Georgia. Received for publication August 24, 1956. 313
314
THE JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
ointment each night. The infected puppy made a rapid and apparently complete recovery. On April 7, 1956, three weeks later, the dog appeared to be normal. To date, the owner's sons are reported to be responding satisfactorily to the physician's prescribed medications. The other members of the family are still normal. The puppy has not shown signs of reinfection. MYCOLOGIC IDENTIFICATION
At the laboratory the clinical materials collected from the puppy were examined under the Wood's light. A few hairs were observed to emit the bright, greenish fluorescence typical of M. audouinii infection. Microscopic examination of these hairs mounted in 10% ROll revealed an ectothrix mosaic of small spores (2—3 u). In addition, mycelium was observed in the skin scrapings. Multiple cultures were made from the hairs and skin scrapings by using the selective isolation medium developed by Georg et al (4, 5). In 14 days, growth typical of M. audouinii appeared. The colonies were white to tan in color, with a smooth velvety surface. The reverse side of the culture showed a pinkish-tan color. Mi-
croscopically, branching mycelium and chlamydospores were noted. Conidia could not be found. Subcultures on wort and potato-dextrose agar failed to develop spores. Growth on rice medium (6) was meager. After three weeks, only a brownish discoloration of the rice was observed. No aerial mycelium or macroconidia developed on this medium. On the basis of these findings the organism was identified as M. audouinii. COMMENTS
The common occurrence of M. audouinii infections in man and the rarity of cases involving lower animals would indicate that this fungus is essentially a human pathogen. It is believed by most investigators that infections are transmitted directly from man to man or indirectly by furniture or articles of clothing contaminated with infected hairs or fungal elements. No good evidence is available to indicate that animals play a role in the epidemiology of this disease. In the present report it would appear that the infection was transmitted by the owner's children to the young puppy. However, evidence that this occurred must be considered presumptive since cultures were not taken from the human cases. The fact that lower animals can become infected by this dermatophyte would suggest that they may on rare occasions be a source of human infections. It is possible that extensive cultural studies of animal contacts of human cases might revise our present concepts of the part played by animals in the epidemiology of M. audouinii infections in man. SUMMARY
A case of ringworm in a 10-week-old boxer puppy caused by Micros porum audouinii is reported. The mycologic findings and a discussion of the significance
of this case are presented.
ISOLATION OF MICROSPORUM ATJDOUINII
315
REFERENCES
1. SABOURAUD, R.: The dermatomycoses common to man and animals. Brit. M. J., 2: 1089—1094, 1908.
2. MUTtRELL, T. W.: Microsporum audouini, isolated from a dog. Arch. Dermat. & Syph., 63: 683, 1951.
J.
P. AND KLIGMAN, A. M.: Coincident infection of a human and an anthropoid 3. SCULLY, with Microsporum audouini. Arch. Dermat. & Syph., 64: 495—498, 1951. 4. Gaoau, L. K. AJELLO, L. AND GoanoN, M. A.: A selective medium for the isolation of Coccidiodes 5.
immitis. Science, 114:
387—389, 1951.
GROTtO, L. K.: Use of a cycloheximide medium for isolation of dermatophytes from
clinical materials. Arch. Dcrmat. & Syph., 67: 355—361, 1953. 6. CONANT, N. F.: Studies in the genus Microsporurn: 1. Cultural studies. Arch. Dermat. & Syph., 33: 665—683, 1936.
THE JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
94
linolenic acid extract. Arch. This pdf is a scanned copy UV of irradiated a printed document.
24. Wynn, C. H. and Iqbal, M.: Isolation of rat
skin lysosomes and a comparison with liver Path., 80: 91, 1965. and spleen lysosomes. Biochem. J., 98: lOP, 37. Nicolaides, N.: Lipids, membranes, and the 1966.
human epidermis, p. 511, The Epidermis
Eds., Montagna, W. and Lobitz, W. C. Acascopic localization of acid phosphatase in demic Press, New York. human epidermis. J. Invest. Derm., 46: 431, 38. Wills, E. D. and Wilkinson, A. E.: Release of 1966. enzymes from lysosomes by irradiation and 26. Rowden, C.: Ultrastructural studies of kerathe relation of lipid peroxide formation to tinized epithelia of the mouse. I. Combined enzyme release. Biochem. J., 99: 657, 1966. electron microscope and cytochemical study 39. Lane, N. I. and Novikoff, A. B.: Effects of of lysosomes in mouse epidermis and esoarginine deprivation, ultraviolet radiation and X-radiation on cultured KB cells. J. phageal epithelium. J. Invest. Derm., 49: 181, 25. Olson, R. L. and Nordquist, R. E.: Ultramicro-
No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy.
Users should refer to the original published dermal cells. Nature, 216: 1031, 1967. version of1965. the material. vest. Derm., 45: 448, 28. Hall, J. H., Smith, J. G., Jr. and Burnett, S. 41. Daniels, F., Jr. and Johnson, B. E.: In prepa1967.
Cell Biol., 27: 603, 1965.
27. Prose, P. H., Sedlis, E. and Bigelow, M.: The 40. Fukuyama, K., Epstein, W. L. and Epstein, demonstration of lysosomes in the diseased J. H.: Effect of ultraviolet light on RNA skin of infants with infantile eczema. J. Inand protein synthesis in differentiated epi-
C.: The lysosome in contact dermatitis: A ration. histochemical study. J. Invest. Derm., 49: 42. Ito, M.: Histochemical investigations of Unna's oxygen and reduction areas by means of 590, 1967. 29. Pearse, A. C. E.: p. 882, Histochemistry Theoultraviolet irradiation, Studies on Melanin, retical and Applied, 2nd ed., Churchill, London, 1960.
30. Pearse, A. C. E.: p. 910, Histacheini.stry Thearetscal and Applied, 2nd ed., Churchill, London, 1960.
31. Daniels, F., Jr., Brophy, D. and Lobitz, W. C.: Histochemical responses of human skin fol-
lowing ultraviolet irradiation. J. Invest. Derm.,37: 351, 1961.
32. Bitensky, L.: The demonstration of lysosomes by the controlled temperature freezing section method. Quart. J. Micr. Sci., 103: 205, 1952.
33. Diengdoh, J. V.: The demonstration of lysosomes in mouse skin. Quart. J. Micr. Sci., 105: 73, 1964.
34. Jarret, A., Spearman, R. I. C. and Hardy, J. A.:
Tohoku, J. Exp. Med., 65: Supplement V, 10, 1957.
43. Bitcnsky, L.: Lysosomes in normal and pathological cells, pp. 362—375, Lysasames Eds., de Reuck, A. V. S. and Cameron, M. Churchill, London, 1953.
44. Janoff, A. and Zweifach, B. W.: Production of inflammatory changes in the microcirculation by cationic proteins extracted from lysosomes. J. Exp. Med., 120: 747, 1964.
45. Herion, J. C., Spitznagel, J. K., Walker, R. I. and Zeya, H. I.: Pyrogenicity of granulocyte lysosomes. Amer. J. Physiol., 211: 693, 1966.
46. Baden, H. P. and Pearlman, C.: The effect of ultraviolet light on protein and nucleic acid synthesis in the epidermis. J. Invest. Derm.,
Histochemistry of keratinization. Brit. J. 43: 71, 1964. Derm., 71: 277, 1959. 35. De Duve, C. and Wattiaux, R.: Functions of 47. Bullough, W. S. and Laurence, E. B.: Mitotic control by internal secretion: the role of lysosomes. Ann. Rev. Physiol., 28: 435, 1966. the chalone-adrenalin complex. Exp. Cell. 36. Waravdekar, V. S., Saclaw, L. D., Jones, W. A. and Kuhns, J. C.: Skin changes induced by
Res., 33: 176, 1964.
The dermatophyte, Micros porum audouinii, is the most common cause of epidermic tinea capitis of children in this country. Epidemics involving thousands of school children have been reported from all parts of the United States. This fungus is considered by most investigators to be anthropophilic. However, there
are recorded in the literature three cases of lower animal infections. In two instances M. audouinii was isolated from dogs (1, 2) and in one case from a monkey
(3). That lower animals may be parasitized by this dermatophyte is apparent; however, the paucity of reported cases would indicate that such infections are rare.
The present paper records the isolation of M. audouinii from a dog found to be spontaneous]y infected by this fungus. REPORT OF A CASE
In response to an advertisement in a local newspaper, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania purchased a 10-week-old, female, boxer puppy from a local breeder on March 10, 1956. At the time of the purchase, the prospective owner carefully examined the dog for signs of visible abnormalities. The puppy appeared to be normal in every respect and the animal was brought home. There were no other
pets in the household. Approximately two weeks before this family acquired the dog, two of the owner's children, both males, 8 and 9 years of age respectively, were found by a
local physician to have tinea capitis. The diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical appearance and fluorescence of hairs under the Wood's lamp. Cultures were not taken to determine the species of dermatophyte involved. The other members of the family, which included the man himself, his wife, age 36, and two daughters, 13 and 14 years of age respectively, were all normal. On March 16, 1956, the man noticed the development of small erythematous patches of alopeeia on various parts of the puppy's body. On March 19, 1956, the
dog was taken to a local veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment of the dermatitis. The attending veterinarian examined the puppy and found multiple, circular, scaly, erythematous areas of alopecia, up to 3 cm. in diameter, on the ventral surface of the abdomen and chest and on the anterior surface of the left front leg. A clinical diagnosis of ringworm was made, and the attending veterinarian submitted, for mycologic examination, hair and skin scrapings collected from the lesions. On the basis of the clinical diagnosis the veterinarian prescribed the applica-
tion of tincture of iodine to the affected areas each morning and a medicated *From the Communicable Disease Center, Public Health Service, U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Atlanta, Georgia. Received for publication August 24, 1956. 313
314
THE JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
ointment each night. The infected puppy made a rapid and apparently complete recovery. On April 7, 1956, three weeks later, the dog appeared to be normal. To date, the owner's sons are reported to be responding satisfactorily to the physician's prescribed medications. The other members of the family are still normal. The puppy has not shown signs of reinfection. MYCOLOGIC IDENTIFICATION
At the laboratory the clinical materials collected from the puppy were examined under the Wood's light. A few hairs were observed to emit the bright, greenish fluorescence typical of M. audouinii infection. Microscopic examination of these hairs mounted in 10% ROll revealed an ectothrix mosaic of small spores (2—3 u). In addition, mycelium was observed in the skin scrapings. Multiple cultures were made from the hairs and skin scrapings by using the selective isolation medium developed by Georg et al (4, 5). In 14 days, growth typical of M. audouinii appeared. The colonies were white to tan in color, with a smooth velvety surface. The reverse side of the culture showed a pinkish-tan color. Mi-
croscopically, branching mycelium and chlamydospores were noted. Conidia could not be found. Subcultures on wort and potato-dextrose agar failed to develop spores. Growth on rice medium (6) was meager. After three weeks, only a brownish discoloration of the rice was observed. No aerial mycelium or macroconidia developed on this medium. On the basis of these findings the organism was identified as M. audouinii. COMMENTS
The common occurrence of M. audouinii infections in man and the rarity of cases involving lower animals would indicate that this fungus is essentially a human pathogen. It is believed by most investigators that infections are transmitted directly from man to man or indirectly by furniture or articles of clothing contaminated with infected hairs or fungal elements. No good evidence is available to indicate that animals play a role in the epidemiology of this disease. In the present report it would appear that the infection was transmitted by the owner's children to the young puppy. However, evidence that this occurred must be considered presumptive since cultures were not taken from the human cases. The fact that lower animals can become infected by this dermatophyte would suggest that they may on rare occasions be a source of human infections. It is possible that extensive cultural studies of animal contacts of human cases might revise our present concepts of the part played by animals in the epidemiology of M. audouinii infections in man. SUMMARY
A case of ringworm in a 10-week-old boxer puppy caused by Micros porum audouinii is reported. The mycologic findings and a discussion of the significance
of this case are presented.
ISOLATION OF MICROSPORUM ATJDOUINII
315
REFERENCES
1. SABOURAUD, R.: The dermatomycoses common to man and animals. Brit. M. J., 2: 1089—1094, 1908.
2. MUTtRELL, T. W.: Microsporum audouini, isolated from a dog. Arch. Dermat. & Syph., 63: 683, 1951.
J.
P. AND KLIGMAN, A. M.: Coincident infection of a human and an anthropoid 3. SCULLY, with Microsporum audouini. Arch. Dermat. & Syph., 64: 495—498, 1951. 4. Gaoau, L. K. AJELLO, L. AND GoanoN, M. A.: A selective medium for the isolation of Coccidiodes 5.
immitis. Science, 114:
387—389, 1951.
GROTtO, L. K.: Use of a cycloheximide medium for isolation of dermatophytes from
clinical materials. Arch. Dcrmat. & Syph., 67: 355—361, 1953. 6. CONANT, N. F.: Studies in the genus Microsporurn: 1. Cultural studies. Arch. Dermat. & Syph., 33: 665—683, 1936.
THE JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
94
linolenic acid extract. Arch. This pdf is a scanned copy UV of irradiated a printed document.
24. Wynn, C. H. and Iqbal, M.: Isolation of rat
skin lysosomes and a comparison with liver Path., 80: 91, 1965. and spleen lysosomes. Biochem. J., 98: lOP, 37. Nicolaides, N.: Lipids, membranes, and the 1966.
human epidermis, p. 511, The Epidermis
Eds., Montagna, W. and Lobitz, W. C. Acascopic localization of acid phosphatase in demic Press, New York. human epidermis. J. Invest. Derm., 46: 431, 38. Wills, E. D. and Wilkinson, A. E.: Release of 1966. enzymes from lysosomes by irradiation and 26. Rowden, C.: Ultrastructural studies of kerathe relation of lipid peroxide formation to tinized epithelia of the mouse. I. Combined enzyme release. Biochem. J., 99: 657, 1966. electron microscope and cytochemical study 39. Lane, N. I. and Novikoff, A. B.: Effects of of lysosomes in mouse epidermis and esoarginine deprivation, ultraviolet radiation and X-radiation on cultured KB cells. J. phageal epithelium. J. Invest. Derm., 49: 181, 25. Olson, R. L. and Nordquist, R. E.: Ultramicro-
No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy.
Users should refer to the original published dermal cells. Nature, 216: 1031, 1967. version of1965. the material. vest. Derm., 45: 448, 28. Hall, J. H., Smith, J. G., Jr. and Burnett, S. 41. Daniels, F., Jr. and Johnson, B. E.: In prepa1967.
Cell Biol., 27: 603, 1965.
27. Prose, P. H., Sedlis, E. and Bigelow, M.: The 40. Fukuyama, K., Epstein, W. L. and Epstein, demonstration of lysosomes in the diseased J. H.: Effect of ultraviolet light on RNA skin of infants with infantile eczema. J. Inand protein synthesis in differentiated epi-
C.: The lysosome in contact dermatitis: A ration. histochemical study. J. Invest. Derm., 49: 42. Ito, M.: Histochemical investigations of Unna's oxygen and reduction areas by means of 590, 1967. 29. Pearse, A. C. E.: p. 882, Histochemistry Theoultraviolet irradiation, Studies on Melanin, retical and Applied, 2nd ed., Churchill, London, 1960.
30. Pearse, A. C. E.: p. 910, Histacheini.stry Thearetscal and Applied, 2nd ed., Churchill, London, 1960.
31. Daniels, F., Jr., Brophy, D. and Lobitz, W. C.: Histochemical responses of human skin fol-
lowing ultraviolet irradiation. J. Invest. Derm.,37: 351, 1961.
32. Bitensky, L.: The demonstration of lysosomes by the controlled temperature freezing section method. Quart. J. Micr. Sci., 103: 205, 1952.
33. Diengdoh, J. V.: The demonstration of lysosomes in mouse skin. Quart. J. Micr. Sci., 105: 73, 1964.
34. Jarret, A., Spearman, R. I. C. and Hardy, J. A.:
Tohoku, J. Exp. Med., 65: Supplement V, 10, 1957.
43. Bitcnsky, L.: Lysosomes in normal and pathological cells, pp. 362—375, Lysasames Eds., de Reuck, A. V. S. and Cameron, M. Churchill, London, 1953.
44. Janoff, A. and Zweifach, B. W.: Production of inflammatory changes in the microcirculation by cationic proteins extracted from lysosomes. J. Exp. Med., 120: 747, 1964.
45. Herion, J. C., Spitznagel, J. K., Walker, R. I. and Zeya, H. I.: Pyrogenicity of granulocyte lysosomes. Amer. J. Physiol., 211: 693, 1966.
46. Baden, H. P. and Pearlman, C.: The effect of ultraviolet light on protein and nucleic acid synthesis in the epidermis. J. Invest. Derm.,
Histochemistry of keratinization. Brit. J. 43: 71, 1964. Derm., 71: 277, 1959. 35. De Duve, C. and Wattiaux, R.: Functions of 47. Bullough, W. S. and Laurence, E. B.: Mitotic control by internal secretion: the role of lysosomes. Ann. Rev. Physiol., 28: 435, 1966. the chalone-adrenalin complex. Exp. Cell. 36. Waravdekar, V. S., Saclaw, L. D., Jones, W. A. and Kuhns, J. C.: Skin changes induced by
Res., 33: 176, 1964.