First description of Arthroderma lilyanum in a rabbit with a focal alopecic area of the forelimb

Julia Lienhard; Nicole Wengi; Ana Rostaher; Marianne Schneeberger; Giovanni Ghielmetti

doi:10.1016/j.mmcr.2023.04.003

First description of Arthroderma lilyanum in a rabbit with a focal alopecic area of the forelimb

Med Mycol Case Rep. 2023 May 11:40:58-60. doi: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2023.04.003. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Julia Lienhard¹, Nicole Wengi², Ana Rostaher³, Marianne Schneeberger¹, Giovanni Ghielmetti¹

Affiliations

¹ Section of Veterinary Bacteriology, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland.
² Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland.
³ Dermatology Unit, Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland.

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is an important zoonotic disease in pet rabbits. While common clinical signs of dermatophytosis can occur, rabbits can also be asymptomatically infected. This case report describes a rabbit from Switzerland, with a focal alopecic area on one forepaw. Dermatophyte culture of a hair and skin sample taken from the lesion revealed growth of a dermatophyte, that was identified as the recently described species Arthroderma (A.) lilyanum by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and β-tubulin genes. After local treatment with a disinfectant containing octenidine dihydrochloride and phenoxyethanol twice daily for two weeks, the lesion fully healed. Although it is not clear whether the dermatophyte was responsible for the lesion or if it was an incidental finding with an asymptomatic infection, the current report shows, that the host spectrum and geographical distribution of A. lilyanum are broader than previously thought.

Keywords: Arthroderma lilyanum; Dermatophytosis; Rabbit.

Publication types

Case Reports