title: A case of Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection in a fennec fox (Vulpes zerda).
abstract: A 2-year-old male fennec fox presented with a 4 month history of nonpruritic, crusty skin lesions on the forehead, the pinnae and the tail tip. Initial investigations, including routine haematology, biochemistry profile, multiple skin scrapings, trichoscopic examination, Wood's lamp examination and fungal culture, failed to reveal any abnormalities. Histopathological examination of a first set of skin biopsies showed an interface dermatitis pattern, with lymphocyte infiltration in the basal layer, a significant lymphocytic exocytosis and occasional apoptotic basal epidermal keratinocytes; periodic acid Schiff stain did not reveal any fungal elements. On further biopsies, there was a pustular neutrophilic dermatitis, with numerous crusts containing high numbers of arthrospores and fungal hyphae. Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection was confirmed on fungal culture and PCR. The fennec fox received oral itraconazole (5 mg/kg once daily for 6 weeks) combined with a miconazole and chlorhexidine shampoo applied on affected areas once weekly, followed with an enilconazole dip. The fox improved dramatically, and a fungal culture performed at 6 weeks was negative. Unfortunately, a few days later the fennec fox developed anorexia, icterus and died. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of Trichophyton infection in a fennec fox and, although a postmortem examination was not performed, this is possibly the first report of fatal acute liver failure associated with itraconazole in a canid.
authors: INP-ENVT Toulouse veterinary school 23, chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse Cedex 3, France.
authors: Charline
authors: C
authors: Pressanti
authors: Maxence
authors: M
authors: Delverdier
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Iriart
authors: Frédérique
authors: F
authors: Morcel
authors: Marie-Christine
authors: MC
authors: Cadiergues
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005589:Foxes; D008297:Male; D014005:Tinea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000145:classification*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents