Importance of rabbits as source of human tinea

The most important mycosis affecting rabbits is dermatophytosis. Infection due to dermatophyte fungi, especially Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes, and less frequent Microsporum canis, have been described in nature as well in breeding animals. In some countries with an important industrial production of rabbit for meat or fur, epidemic outbreaks can cause important economic costs as well human health problems. Different clinical presentations of tinea, some of them being highly inflammatory, are common in children as well adult people working in rabbit farms, infection also can be due to strength contact with mascot's rabbits. The characteristics of etiological agents, epidemic factors, clinical presentations, diagnosis and management of outbreaks or tinea's rabbit have been reviewed as well the therapeutic possibilities. The high transmissibility of T. mentagrophytes among animals and from them to man is emphasised. Copyright © 2008 Cornetis.