The relationship between aspergillosis in cats and human otomycosis of pets' owners in Assiut city [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographic reference.

Fungus is considered a neglected zoonotic agent that transmitted naturally between animals and man causing various degrees of severity with attendant public health consequences. The growing interest in keeping pets in our houses gives rise to this problem. Otomycosis is a superficial fungal infection in the outer ear canal. The same zoonotic fungi isolated from pets were isolated from the ears of pets' owners. Morphological typing and identification of isolated fungus from 20 cats' hair reveal the presence of Aspergillus flavus isolated from all cases 20 (100%) and Aspergillus nidulans in 15 (75%) and another species of fungi were isolated. Morphological typing and identification of isolated fungus from ear swabs of pets ownership patients reveal 14/35 (40%). Isolates were mixed infection of Aspergillus flavus with Aspergillus nidulans, while Aspergillus sydowii was seen alone in 9/35 (25.7%) patients. Mixed infection with bacteria appeared in Aspergillus flavus 8/35 (22.9%) and in Aspergillus sydowii 4/35 (11.4%). The aim of our study is to warn pet owners that pets carrying fungal zoonotic agents on their hair cause some infections for their owners as otomycosis.
Keywords: Otomycosis , Aspergillus flavus , Aspergillus nidulans, pets

Summary in Arabic