INTRODUCTION. Off-leash areas, created for dogs to exercise and play in a controlled environment, are increased in urban areas all around the world. Together the benefit, public health considerations can concern also zoonotic risk (Rahim et al., 2017 J. Comm. Health, 43:433–440). It is known that the presence and quantity of keratinophilic fungi in the soil is closely related to the animalization process: soils rich in keratin material of animal origin constitute a suitable pabulum for the survival and multiplication of potentially pathogenic agents for humans and animals (Mantovani,1978, Mycopathol., 65: 61-66). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of keratinophilic fungi in the soil of off-leash areas in Bologna. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Six areas were selected; every ones was divided in two subareas in each of which a x sampling scheme was used (according to DM 11/5/1992), collecting a sample of superficial soil every 2 meters along the diagonals. From each area, 8 pools for mycological examination (see figure) were obtained, and handled according to Vanbreuseghem et al., (1978. Guide pratique de mycologie medicale et veterinaire, Masson, Paris) to isolate keratinophilic fungi, using human hair as baits. A total of 56 pools were examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. All the off-leash areas were positive for the geophilic M. gypseum, potentially pathogenic for humans and animals, found in 43/56 samples (76.8%); also the geophilics Trichophyton ajelloi (2/56-3.6%) and Chrysosporium sp (4/56-7.1%) were occasionally found. In this research, the assortment of genera of keratinophilic fungi was lower than other surveys carried out in soil from parks of urban areas or in soil from lairs of wild animals (Morganti and Tampieri, 1984, Nuovi Ann Ig. Microbiol, XXXV: 43-50; Gallo et al., 2005, Med Mycol. 43,:373-379; Galuppi et al., 2002, VI congresso FIMUA, 127-128), and no zoophilic dermatophytes were found. The lack of the latter should not be surprising, because they do not replicate in the ground and are rapidly destroyed by the environmental microflora, so their occasional finding in the soil is usually considered a consequence of a recent contamination due to infected animals (Lostia and Pinetti, 1970 , rassegna medica sarda, 73: 71). Vice versa, a higher percentage of positive samples for M. gypseum was found. Probably, the high attendance of a single animal species (dog) in these areas may promote the development of an ecological niche favourable to the development of this mycete. It could be of interest to verify, in collaboration with dermatologists, if an higher prevalence of dermatophytoses due to M. gypseum is observed in people attending off-leash areas.
R. GALUPPI, L.B. (2018). Keratinophylic fungi in off-leash areas soil of Bologna (Northern Italy).
Keratinophylic fungi in off-leash areas soil of Bologna (Northern Italy)
R. GALUPPI;M. P. TAMPIERI;G. POGLAYEN
2018
Abstract
INTRODUCTION. Off-leash areas, created for dogs to exercise and play in a controlled environment, are increased in urban areas all around the world. Together the benefit, public health considerations can concern also zoonotic risk (Rahim et al., 2017 J. Comm. Health, 43:433–440). It is known that the presence and quantity of keratinophilic fungi in the soil is closely related to the animalization process: soils rich in keratin material of animal origin constitute a suitable pabulum for the survival and multiplication of potentially pathogenic agents for humans and animals (Mantovani,1978, Mycopathol., 65: 61-66). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of keratinophilic fungi in the soil of off-leash areas in Bologna. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Six areas were selected; every ones was divided in two subareas in each of which a x sampling scheme was used (according to DM 11/5/1992), collecting a sample of superficial soil every 2 meters along the diagonals. From each area, 8 pools for mycological examination (see figure) were obtained, and handled according to Vanbreuseghem et al., (1978. Guide pratique de mycologie medicale et veterinaire, Masson, Paris) to isolate keratinophilic fungi, using human hair as baits. A total of 56 pools were examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. All the off-leash areas were positive for the geophilic M. gypseum, potentially pathogenic for humans and animals, found in 43/56 samples (76.8%); also the geophilics Trichophyton ajelloi (2/56-3.6%) and Chrysosporium sp (4/56-7.1%) were occasionally found. In this research, the assortment of genera of keratinophilic fungi was lower than other surveys carried out in soil from parks of urban areas or in soil from lairs of wild animals (Morganti and Tampieri, 1984, Nuovi Ann Ig. Microbiol, XXXV: 43-50; Gallo et al., 2005, Med Mycol. 43,:373-379; Galuppi et al., 2002, VI congresso FIMUA, 127-128), and no zoophilic dermatophytes were found. The lack of the latter should not be surprising, because they do not replicate in the ground and are rapidly destroyed by the environmental microflora, so their occasional finding in the soil is usually considered a consequence of a recent contamination due to infected animals (Lostia and Pinetti, 1970 , rassegna medica sarda, 73: 71). Vice versa, a higher percentage of positive samples for M. gypseum was found. Probably, the high attendance of a single animal species (dog) in these areas may promote the development of an ecological niche favourable to the development of this mycete. It could be of interest to verify, in collaboration with dermatologists, if an higher prevalence of dermatophytoses due to M. gypseum is observed in people attending off-leash areas.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
