ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF DERMATOPHYTIC FUNGI FROM CATS IN NATHA SATWA NUSANTARA SHELTER, BOGOR, INDONESIA

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is a common zoonotic skin infection caused by dermatophytic fungi in humans and animals including cats. No research has been conducted on dermatophytic fungi in shelter cats within Indonesia. This study determined the prevalence of dermatophytosis in 20 shelter cats from Natha Satwa Nusantara Shelter. All cats were sampled using the MacKenzie toothbrush technique. Additional samples from 14 symptomatic cats were collected via hair plucking (15) and skin scraping (12), total of 27 lesion samples, which were used for direct microscopic examination. Lesions of cats were scored. Wood’s lamp test and direct microscopy served as screening tools, while fungal culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), both supplemented with 0.0125% chloramphenicol and 0.04% cycloheximide, act as a diagnostic gold standard. All symptomatic cats showed alopecia (14/14), crusting (8/14), and erythema (3/14). Wood’s lamp test was positive in 11/20 cats (55%). All 27 lesion samples revealed fungal elements under microscope. Fungal culture identified Microsporum canis (1/20; 5%) and Trichophyton verrucosum (1/20; 5%), with a total 10% dermatophytosis prevalence. Both positive cats were symptomatic, indicating potential transmission to other animals, humans, and the environment. To reduce the risk of dermatophyte transmission, early detection, isolation of infected animals, environmental disinfection, and routine screening should be implemented as preventive measures.

Dermatofitosis adalah infeksi kulit zoonosis umum yang disebabkan oleh jamur dermatofit pada manusia dan hewan, termasuk kucing. Belum ada penelitian tentang jamur dermatofit pada kucing di selter Indonesia. Penelitian ini menentukan prevalensi dermatofitosis pada 20 kucing di Natha Satwa Nusantara Selter. Semua kucing diambil sampelnya menggunakan teknik MacKenzie. Sampel tambahan dari 14 kucing bergejala diambil melalui pencabutan rambut (15) dan kerokan kulit (12), total 27 sampel lesi, untuk pemeriksaan mikroskopis langsung. Lesi pada kucing dinilai. Uji Lampu Wood dan mikroskopi langsung berfungsi sebagai alat skrining, dan kultur jamur pada Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) dan Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), disuplementasi dengan 0,0125% kloramfenikol dan 0,04% sikloheksimid, digunakan sebagai standar emas diagnostik. Semua kucing bergejala alopesia (14/14), berkerak (8/14), dan eritema (3/14). Uji Lampu Wood positif pada 11/20 kucing (55%). Semua (27 sampel) lesi menunjukkan adanya elemen jamur di bawah mikroskop. Kultur jamur mengidentifikasi Microsporum canis (1/20; 5%) dan Trichophyton verrucosum (1/20; 5%), menghasilkan prevalensi dermatofitosis sebesar 10% (2/20). Kedua kucing yang positif menunjukkan gejala, yang mengindikasikan potensi penularan ke hewan lain, manusia, dan lingkungan. Untuk mengurangi risiko penularan dermatofit, deteksi dini, isolasi hewan yang terinfeksi, desinfeksi lingkungan, dan skrining rutin harus dilakukan sebagai tindakan pencegahan.