title: Isolation of fungi from the pelage of cats and dogs using the hairbrush technique.
abstract: A total of 178 cats and 59 dogs in Palmerston North, New Zealand were sampled for the presence of keratinophilic fungi on their pelage; 57.8% had fungi. The fungi were classified in 20 genera with the predominant species being members of the genera; Chrysosporium, Microsporum and Trichophyton. Cats were the major carriers of keratinolytic fungi. 18.5% of the cats and 5.1% of the dogs were either carriers or infected with M. canis. Microsporum canis was a frequent isolate and its distribution had a seasonal variation, with a peak appearing in May-June.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Simpanya
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baxter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006197:Hair / Q000382:microbiology*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009520:New Zealand; D012621:Seasons