Arthroderma benhamiae infection in the Central African hedgehog Erinaceus albiventris, and a report of a human case.
The occurrence of ringworm caused by Arthroderma benhamiae Ajello & Cheng is reported in Central African hedgehogs (Erinaceus albiventris Wagner), caught near Nairobi, Kenya. Of the 45 animals examined, 10 were positive on culture, including a litter of 4 young. Six infected animals were without lesions, and 2 littermates showed scaly areas similar to those described in E. europaeus L. caused by Trichophyton erinacei (Smith & Marples) Padhye & Carmichael. No correlation with mite infestation or mange lesions was evident. Ringworm-like lesions were found which were repeatedly negative on culture. A human infection by A. benhamiae was contracted from the hedgehogs.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006364:Hedgehogs; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology