Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic concordance between the toothbrush and carpet techniques for the detection of Microsporum canis in cats in a field study.
Methods: Thirty-nine Persian cats from a cattery were used. Fungal culture samples from the haircoat of each cat were collected by stroking the coat with a sterile toothbrush and a 5 × 5 cm-sized sterile carpet square (n = 78 total samples). Specimens were inoculated onto Mycosel Agar and incubated at 25°C for 21 days. Both techniques were compared using the following parameters: number of plates without fungal growth, number of plates with contaminant growth and number of plates positive for dermatophytes.
Results: The feline population in the study cattery was 39. Thirty (77%) were symptomatic and nine (23%) asymptomatic. The diagnosis was made via carpet and toothbrush methods and 78 cultures were performed. On day 21, M canis was detected in all culture plates. No contaminant molds were observed.
Conclusions and relevance: The concordance rate between the carpet and toothbrush techniques among the 78 evaluable culture plates was 100%. Both methods are equally effective for collecting material for Mcanis culture. Additionally, both techniques are inexpensive and easy to perform in feline clinical practice.
Keywords: Microsporum canis; Persian; Toothbrush; cattery; dermatophytosis; fungal cultures.