Mycopathologia (2017) 182:113–126
DOI 10.1007/s11046-016-0090-8
Non-dermatophyte Dermatoses Mimicking
Dermatophytoses in Animals
Didier Pin
Received: 10 October 2016 / Accepted: 26 October 2016 / Published online: 16 November 2016
Ó Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016
Abstract Dermatophytoses in animals are fungal
diseases of the skin caused by dermatophyte fungi of
the genus Microsporum or Trichophyton. Because the
infection is generally follicular, the most common
clinical sign is one or many circular areas of alopecia
with variable erythema, scaling and crusting, and the
primary differential diagnoses are follicular infec-
tions, such as bacterial folliculitis and demodicosis.
Although dermatophyte folliculitis or ringworm is the
most commonly observed lesion of dermatophytoses
in animals, other presentations may be observed
according to the host species and the dermatophyte
involved: dermatophyte folliculitis or ringworm,
scaling and crusting in dermatophytosis due to
Microsporum persicolor, nodule in case of kerion or
mycetoma, matted hairs, seborrheic dermatosis or
miliary dermatitis in cats, generalized exfoliative
dermatoses in dogs, cats and horses, superficial non-
follicular pustules, papules and macules in the Devon
Rex cat, pruritic dermatophytoses in dogs, cats and
horses, and onychomycosis in dogs, cats and horses.
Since manifestations of dermatophytosis are highly
variable, particularly in the cat, dermatophytosis
should be considered in case of any annular, papular,
nodular or pustular dermatoses, alopecic or not,
sometimes pruritic, and nodular dermatoses as well.
D. Pin (&)
UP Interactions Cellules Environnement, VetAgro Sup,
Univ Lyon, 69280 Marcy l’Etoile, France
e-mail: didier.pin@vetagro-sup.fr
Keywords Animal
Dermatophytosis

Dermatology
Differential diagnosis
Introduction
Dermatophytoses in animals are fungal diseases of the
skin caused by dermatophyte fungi of the genus
Microsporum or Trichophyton which use keratin as a
source of nutrients. Arthrospores cannot penetrate
intact skin, but minor skin trauma or damage from
moisture can be adequate to allow infection to
develop. Once infection is established, dermatophytes
proliferate in keratinous tissue and invade dead parts
of hair, skin and nails. The incubation period is
approximately 1–3 weeks.
Typical and Rare Presentations
of Dermatophytoses
Although they are highly variable, clinical signs are
explained by the keratinous tropism of dermatophytes.
Dermatophytes invade and proliferate into keratinous
tissues, e.g., the horny layer or stratum corneum of the
epidermis, hair shafts or claws, and do not generally
penetrate the living tissues. Although dermatophyte
folliculitis or ringworm is the most commonly
observed lesion of dermatophytoses in animals, other
presentations may be observed according to the host
species and the dermatophyte involved.
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Dermatophyte Folliculitis or Ringworm

In a large number of cases, dermatophytes invade hair

shafts and the s. corneum of the epidermis and produce
the classical lesion called ringworm or dermatophyte
folliculitis. Ringworm or dermatophyte folliculitis is
characterized by a regular and circular, well-delimited
area of peripherally expanding alopecia (Fig. 1).
Discrete erythema and scales are often associated as
well as some crusts due to a moderate exudation
(Fig. 2). Less commonly, follicular papules and pus-
tules may be present. Sometimes, hair regrowth is
observed in the center of the lesion. Ringworm may be Fig. 2 Classical lesion of dermatophytosis called ringworm
single or multifocal. covered with scales and crusts in a dog. The nasal planum is not
affected (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)

Scaling and Crusting in Dermatophytosis Due

to Microsporum persicolor

As M. persicolor invades only the s. corneum, it

produces scaling and crusting but no alopecia, at least
at the beginning of the infection. Hunting dogs and
dogs known to frequently encounter small rodents are
predisposed. In half of cases, pruritus is present [1].
Lesions classically consist of erythema and papules,
with a mild-to-severe associated scaling, and alopecia
after a certain time of evolution (Fig. 3). They may be
very localized or generalized, and in the latter case,
they are initially located on the face (on the bridge of
the nose, chin, pinnae and periocular region) before
generalization.

Fig. 3 Scaling, crusting and alopecia of the bridge of the nose

in a case of dermatophytosis due to M. persicolor in a hunting
dog (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)

Nodule in Case of Kerion or Mycetoma

Generally, the inflammation is moderate, non-exuda-

Fig. 1 Classical lesion of dermatophytosis called ringworm in
a horse (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
tive, without pus. However, in some cases of infection
caused by Microsporum gypseum or Trichophyton
mentagrophytes, but also, more rarely, Microsporum
canis, the inflammation is severe, exudative, with pus
and induces a nodular lesion called kerion (Fig. 4).

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Fig. 4 Inflammatory form of dermatophytosis called kerion on
the muzzle of a dog (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
Exceptionally, some dermatophytes, particularly
M. canis, have been associated with a nodular
dermatosis, called mycetoma, particularly in Persian
cats. Mycetoma is characterized by one or more
cutaneous or subcutaneous nodules that are often
ulcerated and discharging and due to the development
of a granulomatous dermatitis or panniculitis contain-
ing granules which are formed of branching hyphae or
pseudohyphae of the fungus (Fig. 5) [2, 3].
Matted Hairs or Seborrheic Dermatosis in Cats
In some cases of dermatophytosis in the cat, alopecia
is absent and matted hairs, seborrheic dermatosis with
mild hypotrichosis, are the main clinical features
(Fig. 6) [4].
Fig. 5 Mycetoma due to M. canis on the base of the tail in a
Persian cat (D. Pin)
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Fig. 6 Generalized seborrheic dermatosis with matted hairs
due to M. canis infection in an old cat (Dermatologie, VetAgro
Sup)
Miliary Dermatitis in Cats
Miliary dermatitis, which is a common often pruritic,
papulopustular and papulocrustous skin syndrome in
cats due to a variety of different causes, may be due to
M. canis infection in some cases [5].
Generalized Exfoliative Dermatoses in Dogs, Cats
and Horses
After a chronic evolution or if a predisposing factor
exists, such as young or old age, breed predisposition
in the Persian cat or Yorkshire terrier dog (Fig. 7) or
concomitant glucocorticoid treatment in the cat, dog
or horse, the alopecia could generalize in some
individuals. The complete absence of hairs is then
associated with an erythematous, lichenified, hyper-
pigmented and scaly skin. In such cases, a marked
lymph node involvement may occur [6, 7].
Fig. 7 Generalized exfoliative dermatosis due to M. canis
infection in a young Yorkshire terrier dog (D. Pin)
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Superficial Non-follicular Pustules in Dogs
and Horses
An acantholytic dermatophytosis, associated with
T. mentagrophytes, M. persicolor or Trichophyton
equinum infection, characterized by non-follicular
pustules, epidermal collarettes, scales and crusts, has
been described in the dog and horse [8, 9].
Papules and Macules in the Devon Rex Cat
In Devon Rex cats, dermatophytosis can be charac-
terized by multiple hyperpigmented, sometimes
crusted, papules and macules [10].
Pruritic Dermatophytoses in Dogs, Cats
and Horses
Dermatophytoses classically are not pruritic, except in
the cat in which dermatophytosis is frequently asso-
ciated with sometimes severe pruritus [11], as are
some cases in the dog or the horse [6, 12].
As mentioned above, dermatophytosis due to
M. persicolor infection may be pruritic.
Onychomycosis Due to Dermatophytes in Dogs,
Cats and Horses
Conversely to humans, dermatophyte onychomycosis
is rare in animals and has been described rarely in the
dog [13], exceptionally in the cat [14–17] and the
horse [18, 19]. In dogs and cats, one or a few digits are
usually affected (Fig. 8). The claw is somewhat
Fig. 8 Onychomycosis of several digits in a case of dermato-
phytosis due to M. canis infection in a Yorkshire terrier dog
(D. Pin)
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Mycopathologia (2017) 182:113–126
opaque and mottled irregularly with whitish macules
[14, 15]. In horses suffering from onychomycosis, the
horn defects range from brittle hooves with sand
cracks to horn fissures and large crumbling areas
around the nail holes [19].
Because the infection is very often follicular in
animals, the most common clinical signs are hair loss,
erythema in white skin areas, scaling and crusting.
Rare lesions are macules, crusted papules, pustules,
epidermal collarettes, scales or nodule and onychodys-
trophy as well, sometimes associated with pruritus.
Thus, dermatophytoses are very pleomorphic diseases
and it is true to say ‘‘if it looks like ringworm, it is
probably not ringworm’’ (Danny Scott). One should
add: ‘‘if it does not look like ringworm, it could be’’
(Didier-Noël Carlotti).
Non-dermatophyte Dermatoses Mimicking
Dermatophytoses in Animals
Although numerous other dermatoses mimic the
classical ringworm lesion, dermatophytosis is often
missed because of the protean nature of the clinical
signs. In most studies, the incidence of dermatophy-
tosis is low, e.g., accounting for only 0.26–5.6% of all
canine and feline skin disease cases examined [5].
Nevertheless, due to its highly contagious tendency,
dermatophytosis should be considered in the differ-
ential diagnosis of any annular, papular or pustular
eruption.
In the Dog
The prevalence of dermatophytoses is lower in the dog
than in the cat. The four species most frequently
encountered in dogs are M. canis (40–80% of cases), M.
gypseum (up to 25% of cases), rarely M. persicolor and
T. mentagrophytes (Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii)
(5–35% of cases). More rarely, other dermatophytes
can be identified in dogs such as Trichophyton erinacei
and Trichophyton verrucosum.
Since manifestations of dermatophytosis are highly
variable in the dog, e.g., dermatophyte folliculitis or
ringworm, scaling and crusting of the face, kerion or
mycetoma, generalized exfoliative dermatosis, super-
ficial non-follicular pustules, pruritic dermatosis and
onychomycosis, dermatophytosis should be consid-
ered in case of any annular, papular, nodular or
Mycopathologia (2017) 182:113–126 117

pustular dermatoses, alopecic or not, and of nodular
dermatoses as well. The main differential diagnoses,
bacterial and demodectic folliculitis and the other non-
dermatophyte dermatoses mimicking dermatophy-
toses are listed in Table 1.
In the Cat
Microsporum canis is responsible for more than 95%
of the cases of dermatophytosis in the cat. Other
agents, much rarer, are M. gypseum, M. persicolor and
T. mentagrophytes (Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii).
Long-haired cats, particularly Persian cats, are
strongly predisposed to develop M. canis infection,
especially in catteries (probably due to a genetic
predisposition). On the contrary, short-hair European
cats more commonly develop T. mentagrophytes
(Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii) infection [20].
Feline dermatophytosis has a plethora of clinical
presentations ranging from classic focal or multifocal
alopecia with broken hairs, scaling and minimal
inflammation to more inflammatory lesions as miliary
dermatitis, matted hairs or seborrheic dermatitis,
exfoliative generalized dermatitis, tail seborrhea,
mycetoma, pruritic dermatitis, onychomycosis and a
recently described presentation in the Devon Rex cat,
characterized by erythematous crusted papules and
macules. So, the differential diagnosis is wide and
includes all skin diseases listed in Table 2.
These presentations may be associated with pruri-
tus or not. Table 3 lists the non-dermatophyte der-
matoses mimicking dermatophytoses in the cat and
indicates their relative frequency and whether pruritus
is associated.
In the Horse
Since T. equinum is the most common agent of
dermatophytosis in horses throughout the world,
other less frequently encountered dermatophytes are
T. mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum, Microsporum
equinum and M. gypseum [7]. Dermatophytosis is
common in horses but, as in other species, dermato-
phytosis is overdiagnosed when diagnosis relies
exclusively on clinical signs.
Because the infection is generally follicular in
horses, the most common clinical sign is one or many
circular areas of alopecia with variable erythema,
scaling and crusting and the primary differential
diagnoses are follicular infections, such as bacterial

Table 1 Non-dermatophyte dermatoses mimicking dermatophytoses in the dog

Group of dermatoses Dermatoses and their clinical presentations
Folliculitis Bacterial (Fig. 9) and demodectic (Fig. 10) folliculitis are the main differentials. In the dog, bacterial
folliculitis is much more common than demodicosis and dermatophytosis. Furthermore, follicular
papules or pustules, epidermal collarettes and a moth eaten appearance of the hair coat are often
associated with bacterial folliculitis while comedones and a sharp delimitation of edges of alopecic
areas are associated with demodicosis
Nodular skin diseases Bacterial, mycobacterial, parasitic and fungal nodules, foreign-body granuloma, sterile granulomas or
pyogranulomas, neoplasms such as histiocytoma (Fig. 11), mastocytoma, fibroma or plasmacytoma
Autoimmune dermatoses Affecting the face as pemphigus foliaceus or mucocutaneous lupus erythematosus. Pemphigus
foliaceus is characterized by non-follicular pustules, crusts and alopecia (Fig. 12). Pemphigus
foliaceus and discoid lupus erythematosus frequently produce facial scaly, papulopustular or crusty
lesions often affecting the nasal planum unlike dermatophytosis
Characterized by alopecic circular areas of alopecia as alopecia areata (Fig. 13) and pseudopelade. In
alopecia areata and pseudopelade, the alopecic skin appears otherwise normal
Generalized exfoliative Endocrinopathies, leishmaniasis, exfoliative lupus erythematosus, granulomatous sebaceous adenitis,
dermatoses skin lymphoma (Fig. 14)
Pruritic dermatoses Ectoparasitoses, pyodermas, Malassezia dermatitis, allergies
Claw disorders Bacterial infections, neoplasms, candidiasis, blastomycosis, geotrichosis, cryptococcosis, symmetric
lupoid onychodystrophy (Fig. 15), pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid,
epidermolysis bullosa
In general, onychomycosis is characterized by an asymmetric paronychia or onychodystrophy of one
digit or multiple digits of one paw [5]

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Table 2 Non-dermatophyte dermatoses mimicking dermatophytoses in the cat and their clinical presentations
Clinical presentation Diseases

Focal or multifocal alopecia
Miliary dermatitis
Matted hairs or seborrheic
dermatitis
Exfoliative generalized
dermatitis
Tail seborrhea
Nodules
Onychitis or paronychia
Erythematous crusted papules
and macules in Devon Rex
and Sphynx cats
Demodicosis (Fig. 16), bacterial folliculitis, alopecia areata or pseudopelade [21]. Inversely to the
dog, dermatophytosis in cats is more common than demodicosis and bacterial folliculitis
Ectoparasitoses (cheyletiellosis, trombiculiasis, pediculosis, flea infestation), bacterial folliculitis,
allergic dermatoses (flea allergy dermatitis (Fig. 17), non-flea-induced hypersensitivity
dermatitis) [22], pemphigus foliaceus
Malassezia spp. overgrowth (Fig. 18) or dermatitis [23, 24], demodicosis, Lynxacarus radovsky
infestation [25], hyperthyroidism and other endocrinopathies, defect of grooming habits due to
obesity or psychogenic trouble, dietary deficiencies, Proisotoma spp. springtails infestation [26],
sebaceous gland dysplasia [27]
Thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis, non-thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis [28],
epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma, systemic lupus erythematosus or chronic cutaneous lupus
erythematosus (Fig. 19) [29], pseudopelade, sebaceous adenitis, drug reaction
Tail gland hyperplasia [30], flea allergy dermatitis, Malassezia spp. dermatitis or overgrowth,
demodicosis
Non-dermatophytic fungal mycetomas, other infectious or foreign-body granulomas, sterile
panniculitis, various neoplasms
Bacterial paronychia, pemphigus foliaceus (Fig. 20), squamous cell carcinoma, lupus
erythematosus [5, 17]
Feline urticaria pigmentosa (Fig. 21) [10]

folliculitis, demodicosis and eosinophilic folliculitis
(Table 4). In horses, demodicosis is much rarer than
dermatophytosis and bacterial folliculitis. The differ-
ential diagnosis also includes other skin diseases listed
in Table 4.
As initially tufted papules erect hairs in annular
areas, or more rarely an urticarial-like eruption may be
observed in dermatophytosis, other causes of urticaria
or urticarial-like eruption must be ruled out (Table 4).
In some horses infected with T. equinum, the
development of the dermatophyte is accompanied by
an acantholysis of the epidermis and follicular wall
[9]. Fungal filaments are found on the surface of the
skin and in the wall of the follicles but generally not in
hairs. This presentation must be differentiated from
pemphigus foliaceus.
In horses, dermatophytoses can be pruritic, partic-
ularly in case of T. mentagrophytes infection, in which
multiple small bumps in ‘‘grain of millet’’ appear with
tufted hairs which rapidly turn into scabs and multiple
hair loss areas of a few millimeters in diameter with
pityriasiform scales [12]. Thus, other causes of
pruritus must be ruled out in horses.
Rarely, dermatophytoses in horses could generalize
and therefore must be differentiated from other causes
of generalized, more or less scaly, dermatoses
(Table 4).
In Ruminants
In cattle, as well as in goats and sheep, the most
frequently encountered dermatophyte is T. verruco-
sum, with T. mentagrophytes, T. equinum, M. gyp-
seum, Microsporum nanum and M. canis less
commonly isolated. Dermatophytosis is common in
cattle, but infrequent in goats and sheep.
In cattle, lesions are typically 10–50-mm circular
areas of alopecia either covered with thin farinaceous
desquamations or with thick crusty lamellar scales
difficult to pull out of the skin. Rarely, they are
characterized by severe suppuration and ulceration.
They particularly occur on the head, neck and pelvis,
but can spread all over the body. Pruritus is variable
[35].
In goats, lesions vary from circular to diffuse areas
of alopecia, scaling, erythema and yellowish crusts,

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Table 3 Pruritic and non-pruritic non-dermatophyte dermatoses mimicking dermatophytoses in the cat and their estimated
frequencies
Pruritus Diseases Frequency

Presence Hypersensitivity disorders Very frequent

Parasitic skin diseases Frequent
Malassezia dermatitis Frequent
Bacterial skin diseases Frequent
Generalized form of pemphigus foliaceus Rare
Mucinotic mural folliculitis Very rare
FeLV-associated dermatosis Very rare
Absence Acne Very frequent
Physiological pre-auricular alopecia Frequent
Bacterial folliculitis Frequent
Localized form of pemphigus foliaceus Frequent
Seborrhea due to obesity or old age Frequent
Tail seborrhea Rare
Demodicosis Rare
Systemic lupus erythematosus Rare
Feline urticaria pigmentosa Rare
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus Very rare
Alopecia areata and pseudopelade Very rare
Non-thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatosis Very rare
Thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatosis Very rare
Epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma Very rare
Sebaceous gland dysplasia Very rare
Paraneoplastic alopecia Very rare
Endocrinopathies (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, naturally Rare to very rare
occurring and iatrogenic hypercortisolism, diabetes mellitus)

Table 4 Non-dermatophyte dermatoses mimicking dermatophytoses in the horse

Clinical presentation Differential diagnosis

One or many circular areas of alopecia with
variable erythema, scaling and crusting
Urticaria or urticarial-like eruption
Pustules due to acantholysis
Pruritic dermatoses
Generalized alopecia
Onychomycosis
Nodules: kerion and dermatophytic mycetoma
Bacterial folliculitis, demodicosis and eosinophilic folliculitis as well as
dermatophilosis, pemphigus foliaceus, alopecia areata (Fig. 22). In horses,
demodicosis is much rarer than dermatophytosis and bacterial folliculitis
Insect allergies, vasculitis, infectious and sterile folliculitides, pemphigus
foliaceus (Fig. 23), lymphoma and amyloidosis
Pemphigus foliaceus
Culicoides hypersensitivity [31], various fly bites-induced dermatoses,
sarcoptic mange, psoroptic mange, trombiculiasis, Dermanyssus gallinae
infestation, pediculosis [32], bacterial pyoderma (Fig. 24) [33], pemphigus
foliaceus [34]
Pemphigus foliaceus, systemic or chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus,
alopecia areata, effluvium, sarcoidosis, cutaneous lymphoma and
multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease
Cases due to Scopulariopsis brevicaulis [19] and from other causes of
coronary band and hoof disorders (Fig. 25) [7]
Other infectious or sterile (Fig. 26) granulomas, panniculitis, various
neoplasms

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Fig. 9 Circular lesion of a superficial spreading pyoderma in a
dog (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
Fig. 10 Circular lesion of demodicosis in a West Highland
white terrier dog (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
Fig. 11 Histiocytoma on the face of a young French Boule-
dogue (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
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Fig. 12 Pemphigus foliaceus affecting the bridge of the nose
and the nasal planum in a dog (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
Fig. 13 Alopecic circular lesion of the periorbital region in a
case of alopecia areata in a dog (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
and are most commonly seen on the face, pinnae, neck
and limbs. Pruritus is rare [35].
In sheep, lesions are characterized by circular areas
of alopecia and thick grayish crusts and are most
commonly seen on the face, neck, thorax and back
[35].
The main differential diagnosis includes staphylo-
coccal folliculitis, dermatophilosis, zinc-responsive der-
matosis and ectoparasitoses such as chorioptic mange
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Fig. 14 Numerous alopecic, erythematous, and scaly circular
lesions disseminated on the trunk of an old dog with cutaneous
lymphoma (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
Fig. 15 Onyxis in a case of lupoid onychodystrophy in an
English setter dog (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
(Fig. 27), psoroptic mange, sarcoptic mange and demod-
icosis. Alopecia areata must be ruled out in cattle, as well
as pemphigus foliaceus in cattle [36] and goats [37, 38].
In the Pig
In swine, M. nanum is the most common cause of
dermatophytosis, T. mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum
and M. canis being less often encountered.
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Fig. 16 Circular lesion of demodicosis due to Demodex cati in
a cat (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
Fig. 17 Miliary dermatitis in a cat due to flea allergy dermatitis
(Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
Lesions start by small well-circumscribed macules,
papules and annular areas of red to brown discol-
oration of the skin and superficial dry and brown
crusts. They spread out and sometimes converge
forming large flat plaques with irregular borders
[35, 39]. They could be located on any part of the
animal’s body but are especially common on the
jowls, behind the ears and on the trunk. Alopecia and
pruritus are rare.
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Fig. 18 Seborrheic pruritic alopecic dermatosis in a cat due to
Malassezia overgrowth syndrome (Dermatologie, VetAgro
Sup)
Fig. 19 Exfoliative dermatosis in a cat due to chronic
cutaneous lupus erythematosus (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
Fig. 20 Paronychia in a case of pemphigus foliaceus in a cat
(Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
The main differential diagnosis includes staphylo-
coccal skin disease also known as greasy pig disease,
staphylococcal folliculitis and dermatophilosis, as
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Fig. 21 Generalized urticaria pigmentosa in a Sphynx cat
(Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)
Fig. 22 Alopecia with otherwise normal-appearing skin of the
muzzle of a horse with alopecia areata (Dermatologie, VetAgro
Sup)
well as pityriasis rosea or porcine juvenile pustular
psoriasiform dermatitis, psoriasiform parakeratosis,
zinc deficiency, early-stage swinepox, alopecia areata
and, if pruritus is present, sarcoptic mange (Fig. 28)
and fly bites [39].
In Rodents, Rabbit and Hedgehog
The most encountered dermatophyte in domestic and
wild rodents and in rabbits is T. mentagrophytes
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Fig. 23 Tufted papules erecting hairs in annular areas in a case

of pemphigus foliaceus in a horse (Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)

Fig. 25 Pastern dermatitis with associated lesions of the

coronary band and hoof in a horse due to vasculitis (Derma-
tologie, VetAgro Sup)

Fig. 24 Alopecic, scaly and crusted pruritic dermatosis in a

donkey due to a bacterial and Malassezia overgrowth syndrome
(Dermatologie, VetAgro Sup)

(Arthroderma benhamiae). Microsporum canis is also

frequent in rabbit pets and farms. Other encountered
dermatophytes are M. gypseum and Microsporum
cookei [40].
In guinea pigs, typical lesions are circumscribed
areas of alopecia with erythema, a marked scaling and
crusting. They are commonly located on the muzzle,
around the eyes, on the forehead or ears, and could
affect, in severe cases, the back and limbs. Dermato-
phytosis may be pruritic or not and may affect the nails
with severe onychogryphosis and onychodystrophy
[20, 40]. In this species, the differential diagnosis
mainly includes demodicosis and, in case of associated
pruritus, Trixacarus caviae (Fig. 29), Chirodiscoides
caviae and lice infestations.
Dermatophytosis is rare in rats and mice, and the Fig. 26 Multiple small eosinophilic granulomas on the cannon
condition is usually not pruritic limiting the region of one limb of a horse (Y. Gay)

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Fig. 27 Multifocal areas of alopecia, scaling, erythema and
crusts in a pigmy goat with chorioptic mange (Dermatologie,
VetAgro Sup)
Fig. 28 Multifocal areas of alopecia, scaling, erythema and
crusts in a pigmy pig with sarcoptic mange (Dermatologie,
VetAgro Sup)
Fig. 29 Multiple areas of alopecia, scaling, erythema and
crusts in a guinea pig with trixacariasis (Dermatologie, VetAgro
Sup)
differential diagnosis to poorly pruritic ectoparasite
infestations and seborrheic dermatoses observed in
older rats [5].
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Fig. 30 Alopecia, scaling, erythema and crusts on the back of a
rabbit with flea infestation (D. Pin)
In rabbits, dermatophytosis is common. Lesions are
characterized by patchy alopecia, broken hairs, ery-
thema, and yellow or silvery crusts, initially located on
the bridge of the nose, eyelids and pinnae. Owing to
pruritus, lesions can be spread to the feet and other
areas of the body. The differential diagnosis includes
sarcoptic mange, psoroptic mange, cheyletiellosis, flea
infestation (Fig. 30), other causes of pododermatitis or
moist dermatitis, syphilis and sebaceous adenitis.
In Non-human Primates
Dermatophytosis is rarely reported in non-human
primates. Microsporum canis and Trichophyton
rubrum have been isolated from lesions on great apes
characterized by well-circumscribed alopecic circular
or ring-shaped areas, generalized scaliness and patchy
hair loss to generalized alopecia [41]. Dermatophyto-
sis due to T. mentagrophytes has been diagnosed in a
Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) and in
Capucin monkeys (Cebus nigrivitatus) characterized
by crusting and alopecia of the skin of the face and
neck or generalized, associated with mild pruritus
[42, 43]. A case of dermatophytosis due to M. canis in
Mycopathologia (2017) 182:113–126
a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) has been reported
[44], and a case due to Trichophyton spp. has been
identified in a group of L’Hoest’s monkeys (Cercop-
ithecus lhoesti) [45]. Pruritus is not usually a clinical
feature of dermatophyte infection in primates.
The differential diagnosis includes all causes of
acquired alopecia, scaling and crusting associated or
not with pruritus such as ectoparasitoses, particularly
demodicosis, bacterial infections, nutritional deficien-
cies or hormonal imbalances (hypothyroidism, hyper-
adrenocorticism), color-linked follicular dysplasias,
autoimmune diseases (alopecia areata, pseudopelade,
sebaceous adenitis), and hypersensitivities [45, 46].
In Birds
Dermatophytosis is rare in birds and is caused by
Trichophyton gallinae. The infection, which is observed
in chicken, turkey, duck, quail and canary, is also called
favus. It is characterized by white scaly or crusty lesions
on the comb and on the skin of the head and neck, and
loss of feathers. Feather loss is due to the colonization of
the keratinized shaft of the feathers [40].
The differential diagnosis includes poxvirus infec-
tion for the lesions on the comb, lice, Dermanyssus
gallinae, or Neocnemidocoptes laevis var. gallinae
infestations and choline deficiency for the feather loss.
Conclusion
In all species, non-dermatophyte dermatoses mimick-
ing dermatophytoses are numerous. It is then neces-
sary that the clinician realizes a thorough and step-by-
step diagnostic approach including history, clinical
signs and complementary examinations such as direct
examination of plucked hairs, Wood’s lamp exami-
nation of lesions, fungal culture or PCR, and
histopathological examination of skin biopsies.
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