Dermatophyte colonization in rabbits kept in pet stores of Santiago of Chile / Colonización por dermatofitos en conejos mantenidos en tiendas de mascotas de Santiago de Chile

ABSTRACT Objective. The dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi, of importance in public health because of their anthropozoophilic nature. Given the increasing acquisition of exotic animals as pets and the scarce studies on the state of colonization by dermatophytes on these animals; we raised the objective of determine the presence of dermatophytes in clinically healthy rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from pet stores in Santiago, Chile. Materials and Methods. 42 clinically healthy rabbits were studied. Clinical specimens were obtained from the hairy mantle and cultivated on Sabouraud glucose agar and dermatophyte test medium (DTM™); the identification of the fungal isolates was performed using classic mycological procedures that included direct microscopic examination and the analysis of micromorphological features on culture. Results. Of the total number of rabbits studied, three (7.1%) presented colonization by dermatophytes, being more frequent in males and in those animals that coexisted with Guinea Pigs. The species identified in all three cases was Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Conclusions. This study evidence colonization by dermatophytes in domestic rabbits, important information for veterinarians and owners of pets, at the time of being in contact with this animal species.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Los dermatofitos son hongos queratinofílicos, de importancia en salud pública por su rol antropozoofílico. Dado el aumento en la adquisición de animales exóticos como mascotas y los escasos estudios sobre el estado de colonización por dermatofitos en estos animales, nos planteamos el objetivo de determinar la presencia de dermatofitos en conejos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) clínicamente sanos procedentes de tiendas de mascotas en Santiago de Chile. Materiales y Métodos. Se estudiaron 42 conejos clínicamente sanos. Las muestras clínicas se obtuvieron desde el manto piloso y cultivadas en agar Sabouraud glucosado y dermatophyte test medium (DTM®). La identificación del agente aislado fue realizada por procedimientos micológicos clásicos que incluyeron examen microscópico directo y cultivo. Resultados. Del total de conejos estudiados, tres (7,1%) presentaron colonización por dermatofitos, siendo más frecuente en machos y en aquellos animales que convivían con cuyes. La especie identificada en los tres casos fue Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Conclusiones. Este estudio evidencia la colonización por dermatofitos en conejos domésticos, información importante para médicos veterinarios y propietarios de mascotas, al momento de estar en contacto con esta especie animal.

Actividad antifúngica y perfil de seguridad del producto natural derivado del aceite de maravilla ozonizado (AMO3) en dermatofitos / In vitro antifungal susceptibility, in vivo antifungal activity and security from a natural product obtained from sunrise oil (AMO3) against dermatophytes

This work studied safety and antifungal activity of ozonized sunflower oil (AMO3) against dermatophytes. AMO3 was prepared through a new original process that modifies the oil before ozonation by alcoholic catalytic esterification. Susceptibility was studied in 41 dermatophytes by agar diffusion and broth microdilution tests. The experimental model to assess the topical safety of the oil included 60 CF1 mice divided in three groups that were treated with vaseline (control), 1 percent AMO3 and 50 percent AMO3 (overdose), respectively. Then, experimental dermatophytosis was induced in CF1 mice. Seventy-five individuals were selected and divided in 5 groups that were treated once a day with placebo, cream with 1 percent, 2 percent and 3 percent AMO3 plus an untreated control group. This new natural product showed antifungal activity against all strains studied. The MIC ranged between was 0,125 and 1 percent, while minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was 2 percent. The application of vaseline and AMO3 1 percent and 50 percent did not produce clinical or histopathological lesions. The mice with dermatophytosis that were treated with 1 percent, 2 percent and 3 percent AMO3 showed 100 percent clinical cure and 94 percent average mycological cure, exceeding placebo and control groups (p < 0,05). This product exhibits high antifungal activity and could be a safe alternative for ringworm topical treatment.

Se evaluó la seguridad y actividad antifúngica del aceite de maravilla ozonizado (AMO3) frente a dermatofitos. AMO3 se generó a través de un proceso original que implica modificación del aceite previa ozonización por esterificación catalítica con alcohol. La sensibilidad fue estudiada en 41 dermatofitos por difusión en agar y microdilución en caldo. El modelo experimental para evaluar tópicamente la seguridad del aceite, incluyó 60 ratones CF1, formando tres grupos a los cuales se les aplicó respectivamente vaselina (control), AMO3 1 por ciento y AMO3 50 por ciento (sobredosis). Luego, se indujo derma-tofitosis experimental en ratones CF1, seleccionando 75 individuos divididos en cinco grupos tratados una vez al día con placebo, crema con AMO3 al 1 por ciento, 2 por ciento y 3 por ciento, más un grupo control sin tratamiento. Este nuevo producto natural presentó actividad antifúngica frente a todas las cepas estudiadas. La CIM fluctuó entre 0,125 y 1 por ciento mientras la concentración fungicida mínima (CFM) fue de 2 por ciento. La aplicación de AMO3 no generó lesiones clínicas ni histopatológicas. Los ratones con dermatofitosis tratados con AMO3 presentaron 100 por ciento de cura clínica y 94 por ciento de promedio en cura micológica, siendo superior al grupo control y placebo (P < 0,05). Este producto muestra elevada actividad antimicótica y podría ser una alternativa segura para tratamiento tópico de dermatofitosis.

[In vitro antifungal susceptibility, in vivo antifungal activity and security from a natural product obtained from sunrise oil (AMO3) against dermatophytes]. / Actividad antifúngica y perfil de seguridad del producto natural derivado del aceite de maravilla ozonizado (AMO3) en dermatofitos.

This work studied safety and antifungal activity of ozonized sunflower oil (AMO3) against dermatophytes. AMO3 was prepared through a new original process that modifies the oil before ozonation by alcoholic catalytic esterification. Susceptibility was studied in 41 dermatophytes by agar diffusion and broth microdilution tests. The experimental model to assess the topical safety of the oil included 60 CF1 mice divided in three groups that were treated with vaseline (control), 1% AMO3 and 50% AMO3 (overdose), respectively. Then, experimental dermatophytosis was induced in CF1 mice. Seventy-five individuals were selected and divided in 5 groups that were treated once a day with placebo, cream with 1%, 2% and 3% AMO3 plus an untreated control group. This new natural product showed antifungal activity against all strains studied. The MIC ranged between was 0,125 and 1%, while minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was 2%. The application of vaseline and AMO3 1% and 50% did not produce clinical or histopathological lesions. The mice with dermatophytosis that were treated with 1%, 2% and 3% AMO3 showed 100% clinical cure and 94% average mycological cure, exceeding placebo and control groups (p < 0,05). This product exhibits high antifungal activity and could be a safe alternative for ringworm topical treatment.