Fungal flora of the hair coat of domestic golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) with and without skin lesions in Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate fungal flora of the hair coat of domestic golden hamsters<br />with and without skin lesions. Sixty hamsters were examined in the Small Animal Teaching Hospital<br />of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, and Mashhad, Iran. Asterile<br />toothbrush was used for sample collection, from the entire body of the hamsters, all skin lesions were<br />scraped as well with a scalpel. The mycological analysis was performed using direct microscopic<br />examination and culture media. The direct microscopic examination and culture results were<br />negative for dermatophytes. Of the 60 hamsters examined, 20 (33.3%) resulted in positive cultures<br />for yeast species; of which 11 (18.3%) were Malassezia spp., 8 (13.3%) Candida spp. and 1 (1.7%)<br />Rhodotorula rubra. Rhizopus spp. (50%), Penicillium spp. (38.3%), Cladosporium spp. (23.3%),<br />Aspergillus (A.) fumigatus (23.3%), A. flavus (20%) and Mucor spp. (13.3%) were the most<br />frequently isolated saprophytes. It is concluded that the skin of hamsters, as that of other animals, is<br />contaminated by a variety of saprophytic fungi without concurrent skin lesions, some of which are<br />opportunistic or allergens.