Korean J Dermatol.  1977 Mar;15(1):7-16.

Clinical and Micological Studies on Microsporum Canis Infections

• Kim SW
• Suh SB

Abstract

Microsporurn canis was fjrst reportaR m Korea in 1957, but no animal contacts were reported and since then, only sporadic occurrences of M. canis have reported. However, cat and human infections from M. canis have gradually become rnore prevalent lately. Recently author reported 3 cases of T. capitis, 2 cases of Kerion Celsi, 13 cascs of T. e,orporis in human and 4 cases of infected kittens, with M. canis isolated as the causative organisrn. Clinical and mycological observations of both patients and kittens were reported as follows: The infections with M. canis were exclusively reported in kittens, not in adult cats. Two of the infected kittens showed obvious signs of undernourishment, physical retardation and prostration. Infectivity among cats or kittens was very low while cat to human infectivity was very high. The human T. capitis exhibited. round, erythematous lesions with complete 1oss of hair, very similar to lesions of alopecia areata, These lesions were uniformly smaller than a walnut in size. The T. corporis exhibited typical, moderately inflamed ringshaped, singular or multiple lesions. The incubation period was estirnated at approximately 3-7 days. In humans, ectothrix growth was reported while the opposite endothrix growth was observed in the kitten and rabbit. Experimental animal inoculations were performed: Rabbit inocuIated with M. can- is resulted in typical ringshaped Iesions appearing 10 days after inoculation. T4ese lesians were cornpletely gone in 4 weeks but infected hairs still remained. Guinea pig inoculation resultel in non-typical lesions covered with serosanguinous crusts, but rat inoculztion showed no signs of infectivity.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Alopecia Areata
Animals
Cats
Guinea Pigs
Hair
Humans
Juglans
Korea
Microsporum*
Rats
Tinea Capitis