European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus L.) as a Reservoir of Dermatophytes in Poland

AbstractThe European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus Linnaeus) frequently colonises areas located close to human life in cities, as these are more suitable nest sites offering an abundance of food and allowing avoidance of predators. However, urbanisation has a significant impact on the epidemiology of infectious diseases, including dermatophytoses, the primary source of which are wild animals. In this study, we determined the spectrum of dermatophytes isolated from the European hedgehog and assessed their susceptibility profile to antifungal drugs. Symptomatic and asymptomatic dermatophyte infections were observed in 7.7% and 8% of the 182 examined free-living hedgehogs, respectively. In the pool of the isolated dermatophyte strains, Trichophyton erinacei was dominant (29.9%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (17.9%), Trichophyton benhamiae (13.4%), Nannizzia gypsea (11.9%), Microsporum canis (10.4%), Nannizzia nana (7.5%), Paraphyton cookei (6.0%), and Nannizzia fulva (3.0%). Susceptibility tests revealed the highest activity of luliconazole and the lowest of activity fluconazole among the azole drugs applied. Although terbinafine generally exhibited high efficacy, two Trichophyton mentagrophytes isolates showed resistance to this drug (MIC = 2 µg/ml) resulting from missense mutations in the SQLE gene corresponding to the amino acid substitution Leu393Phe. Summarising, our study has also revealed that such wildlife animals as hedgehogs can be a reservoir of pathogenic human dermatophytes, including harmful strains resistant to commonly used antifungal drugs. Graphical Abstract

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Detection and Control of Dermatophytosis in Wild European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) Admitted to a French Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof7020074 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 74

Author(s):

Cécile Le Barzic ◽

Adela Cmokova ◽

Chloé Denaes ◽

Pascal Arné ◽

Vit Hubka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

Fungal Culture ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Rehabilitation Centre ◽

Erinaceus Europaeus ◽

Asymptomatic Carriers ◽

Wildlife Rehabilitation ◽

Trichophyton Erinacei ◽

And Control

The rising number of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) admitted every year to wildlife rehabilitation centres might be a source of concern to animal and public health since transmissible diseases, such as dermatophytosis, can be easily disseminated. This study seeks to evaluate the frequency of dermatophyte detection in hedgehogs admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre located near Paris, France, and to assess the risk of contamination in the centre in order to adapt prevention measures. A longitudinal cohort study was performed on 412 hedgehogs hosted at the Wildlife Animal Hospital of the Veterinary College of Alfort from January to December 2016. Animals were sampled once a month for fungal culture. Dermatophyte colonies were obtained from 174 out of 686 skin samples (25.4%). Besides Trichophyton erinacei, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Nannizzia gypsea were also found. Dermatophyte detection seemed to be associated with the presence of skin lesions, while more than one-third of T. erinacei-positive animals were asymptomatic carriers. Healing required several months of treatment with topical and systemic azoles, but dermatophytosis did not seem to reduce the probability of release. Daily disinfection procedures and early detection and treatment of infected and asymptomatic carriers succeeded in limiting dermatophyte transmission between hedgehogs and humans.

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Dermatophyten-Infektionen der Haut, Haare und Nägel bei Kindern – ein Update

Kinder- und Jugendmedizin ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1629344 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (04) ◽

pp. 262-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

C. Krüger ◽

I. Schulze ◽

B. Lietzberg ◽

H. Friedlein ◽

G. Ginter-Hanselmayer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tinea Capitis ◽

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Microsporum Canis ◽

Trichophyton Verrucosum ◽

Trichophyton Tonsurans ◽

Arthroderma Benhamiae ◽

Trichophyton Erinacei ◽

Microsporum Audouinii ◽

Tinea Gladiatorum ◽

Zoophile Dermatophyten

ZusammenfassungDas klinische Spektrum und die Erreger der Dermatophytosen unterscheiden sich deutlich zwischen Kindern und Erwachsenen. Im Gegensatz zu Erwachsenen, bei denen die Tinea pedis die häufigste Pilzinfektion der Haut darstellt, werden bei Kindern vor allem die Tinea corporis und Tinea capitis diagnostiziert. Eine neue und beunruhigende Entwicklung ist die Zunahme der Onychomykose – meist durch Trichophyton rubrum – im Kindesalter. Die Tinea capitis stellt eine diagnostische und vor allem therapeutische Herausforderung für Kinderärzte und auch Dermatologen dar. Erreger der Tinea capitis sind in Deutschland vorzugsweise zoophile Dermatophyten. An erster Stelle steht Microsporum canis, das Verhältnis verschiebt sich jedoch mehr und mehr zu den zoophilen Trichophyton-Arten, z. B. Trichophyton interdigitale (früher Trichophyton mentagrophytes). Trichophyton species von Arthroderma benhamiae ist ein neuer Erreger, der im Kindesalter wahrscheinlich mittlerweile alle anderen zoophilen Dermatophyten in Bezug auf die Häufigkeit überflügelt hat. Seltener werden Trichophyton verrucosum – Erreger der „Kälberflechte“ – und Trichophyton erinacei („Igelpilz“) isoliert. Anthropophile Erreger, wie Microsporum audouinii und Trichophyton tonsurans, müssen Anlass sein, nach der Infektionsquelle zu fahnden. Das kann ein familiärer Immigrationshintergrund sein oder auch die Infektion in einem Kampfsportverein (Tinea gladiatorum capitis et corporis).

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Dermatophyte Profile in Patients with Dermatophytosis in Polyclinic Dermatology and Venerology of the General Hospital Dr. Ferdinand Lumbantobing Sibolga in 2019

Sumatera Medical Journal ◽

10.32734/sumej.v4i2.5602 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

Author(s):

May Iyasya Sarumpaet ◽

Dian Dwi Wahyuni

Keyword(s):

Trichophyton Rubrum ◽

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Antifungal Drugs ◽

Tinea Corporis ◽

Observational Research ◽

Microsporum Canis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Superficial Skin ◽

Cross Sectional Design

Dermatophytosis is a superficial skin infection caused by dermatophytes that infected keratinous skin tissue, dermatophytes form molecules that bind to keratin as a source of nutrients in the formation of colonization. Dermatophytes that cause dermatophytosis are Tricophyton sp, Epidermophyton sp and Microsporum sp. To find out the Profile of dermatophytes in patients with dermatophytosis in the Polyclinic of Dermatology and Venerology Dr. Ferdinand Lumbantobing Sibolga in 2019 conducted observational research with cross sectional design. The sample of this study were 75 patients who were new patients and had not used antifungal drugs. This sample is then examined by examination of KOH and cultured and then identified by Scotch-tape Preparation in a microscope. The prevalence of dermatophytosis in this study was 23% of skin cases. The majority of dermatophytosis patients are women (52%), the most age group is 46-65 years (30.7%) and is most often found in housewives (24%). The dermatophytes species found were Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis with the most species Trichophyton rubrum (37.3%), which was then followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (16%). Tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea capitis, tinea pedis and tinea unguinum are dermatophytosis cases that were found in this study. It can be concluded that Trichophyton rubrum is the most common cause of dermatophytosis in Dr. Ferdinand Lumbantobing Sibolga with Tinea corporis is the most classified classification of dermatophytosis.

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Epidemiology of Dermatophytoses in Switzerland According to a Survey of Dermatophytes Isolated in Lausanne between 2001 and 2018

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof6020095 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 95 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Olympia Bontems ◽

Marina Fratti ◽

Karine Salamin ◽

Emmanuella Guenova ◽

Michel Monod

Keyword(s):

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Microsporum Canis ◽

Epidermophyton Floccosum ◽

Tinea Unguium ◽

Prophylactic Measures ◽

Trichophyton Soudanense ◽

Trichophyton Benhamiae ◽

Children And Young Adults ◽

Pathogenic Agents

Dermatophytes are the most common pathogenic agents of superficial mycoses in humans and animals. Knowledge of their epidemiology can facilitate the prevention of dermatophytosis and improve prophylactic measures. We sought to determine the incidence of the different dermatophyte species diagnosed in Lausanne (Switzerland) from 2001 to 2018. In total, 10,958 dermatophytes were isolated from patients and 459 from pets. Overall, 99% of tinea unguium and tinea pedis were caused by Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale with a prevalence ratio of 3:1. Trichophyton violaceum and Trichophyton soudanense were mainly found in tinea capitis in patients of African and Mediterranean origin. Interestingly, while Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton verrucosum were prevalent 50 years ago in an epidemiological analysis carried out in the same laboratory from 1967 to 1970, these two species were rarely detected from 2001 to 2018. Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton benhamiae and Microsporum canis were the prevalent zoophilic pathogenic species in children and young adults. Our investigation of animal samples revealed the main reservoirs of these zoophilic species to be cats and dogs for T. mentagrophytes and M. canis, and Guinea pigs for T. benhamiae. This study provides an epidemiological overview of dermatophytoses in Switzerland to improve their surveillance.

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Feeding the European hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus L .)—risks of commercial diets for wildlife

Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition ◽

10.1111/jpn.13561 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Angela Gimmel ◽

Ulrike Eulenberger ◽

Annette Liesegang

Keyword(s):

Erinaceus Europaeus ◽

Commercial Diets ◽

European Hedgehog

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Expression of Ubiquitin Gene in Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes Cultured with Fluconazole

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.45.9.2559-2562.2001 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 45 (9) ◽

pp. 2559-2562 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rui Kano ◽

Ken Okabayashi ◽

Yuka Nakamura ◽

Shinichi Watanabe ◽

Atsuhiko Hasegawa

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Antifungal Activity ◽

Proteasome Inhibitor ◽

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Nucleotide Sequences ◽

Amino Acid Sequences ◽

Antifungal Drug ◽

Microsporum Canis

ABSTRACT The expression of the ubiquitin (Ub) gene in dermatophytes was examined for its relation to resistance against the antifungal drug fluconazole. The nucleotide sequences and the deduced amino acid sequences of the Ub gene in Microsporum canis were proven to be 99% similar to those of the Ub gene in Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Expression of mRNA of Ub in M. canisand T. mentagrophytes was enhanced when the fungi were cultured with fluconazole. The antifungal activity of fluconazole against these dermatophytes was increased in the presence of Ub proteasome inhibitor.

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Can the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) Be a Sentinel for One Health Concerns?

Biologics ◽

10.3390/biologics1010004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 61-69

Author(s):

Catarina Vinhas Jota Baptista ◽

Fernanda Seixas ◽

José Manuel Gonzalo-Orden ◽

Paula A. Oliveira

Keyword(s):

One Health ◽

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Animal Health ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Erinaceus Europaeus ◽

Health Concerns ◽

Suburban Areas ◽

Global Problems ◽

European Hedgehog

Erinaceus europaeus is a cosmopolitan mammalian species broadly distributed in Europe, from natural to suburban areas. Due to its ecological role and susceptibility to distinct zoonotic agents, E. europaeus could be a suitable sentinel candidate for many global problems that negatively affect human and animal health. Hedgehogs can work as bioindicators to environmental contamination and can be hosts for multiple tickborne zoonotic agents. Thus, people who directly or indirectly make physical contact with this species are exposed to a variety of threats. Moreover, it has also been studied as an indicator for antibiotic resistance, which was already confirmed for tetracyclines. Additionally, it was also reported as a reservoir for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). More recently, hedgehogs have been recently recognised as potential reservoirs of MERS-CoV-like strains. Among other animals, this species can possibly represent an intermediate reservoir for SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this review is to briefly expose the scientific attainments about hedgehog health, namely agents, diseases, and threats that significantly affect general health concerns and that contribute to achieve One Health principles.

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Tick-induced blood loss leads to regenerative anaemia in the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182009005514 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 136 (4) ◽

pp. 443-452 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

M. PFÄFFLE ◽

T. PETNEY ◽

M. ELGAS ◽

J. SKUBALLA ◽

H. TARASCHEWSKI

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Tick Infestation ◽

Feeding Activity ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Experimental Population ◽

Erinaceus Europaeus ◽

European Hedgehog ◽

Blood Characteristics

SUMMARYAlthough there is an increasing understanding of the role of parasites in their host dynamics, accurate, quantitative estimates of parasite caused morbidity in wild animals are rare. Here, we examine the possible impact of 2 tick species (Ixodes ricinus, I. hexagonus) on the condition of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). For this, we tested for correlations between blood parameters of 36 adult hedgehogs from an experimental population enclosed in a natural habitat and their tick infestation over a period of 8 months (March–October 2007). We found correlations between the tick infestation and the concentration of red blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCH, MCHC, thrombocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils. These results indicate that ticks can induce anaemia in the hedgehog. The peripheral blood characteristics and the erythrocyte indices characterize this anaemia as haemorrhagic and regenerative. During the course of our study the hedgehogs of our population showed below normal mortality but morbidity was found to be high resulting from the blood loss caused by the feeding activity of the ticks.

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