Dermatophytosis in zoo macropods: a questionnaire study.
Limited published data are available on dermatophytosis in zoo macropods, despite anecdotal reports of disease occurrence and recurrent mob outbreaks. The aim of this questionnaire study was to analyze data from Australian and international zoos to evaluate estimated disease prevalence in zoos housing macropods, affected macropod species, causative organisms, predisposing factors, clinical presentations, diagnostics, treatments, and disease risk management. Two questionnaires (initial detailed and subsequent brief) were distributed via email to zoo veterinarians, with an estimated response rate of 23%. The overall estimated disease prevalence from responding zoos was 28%, with 73% of responding Australian zoos and 14% of responding non-Australian zoos reporting disease. The first cases of confirmed and suspected dermatophytosis in several macropod species and in association with Trichophyton verrucosum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. nodulare are reported, with young red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) appearing predisposed. Diagnosis was most commonly based on fungal culture or presumptively on typical clinical signs of minimally/nonpruritic alopecia, crusting, and scaling distributed most frequently on the tail, pinnae, and hind limbs. Both disease resolution without treatment and resolution after an average of 1 to 2 mo of treatment were reported.
University of Sydney, Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden, Mail Bag 4004, Narellan, New South Wales, Australia 2567. kbou7582@uni.sydney.edu.au
Katie Alyce
KA
Boulton
Linda Jean
LJ
Vogelnest
Larry
L
Vogelnest
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003625:Data Collection; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D014943:Global Health; D007614:Macropodidae; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014005:Tinea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
D000935:Antifungal Agents