Investigation identifies human-to-animal transmission of Trichophyton tonsurans in companion animals, indicating new infection risks.
Veterinary infections caused by anthropophilic dermatophytes are extremely rare and, until now, have mainly involved Trichophyton rubrum. The present investigation documents 22 cases of positive culture for the anthropophilic dermatophyte species T. tonsurans in companion animals identified in France from 2021 to 2025. Trichophyton tonsurans was isolated from 13 cats and 9 dogs. Eleven animals showed symptomatic infection, whereas the others were asymptomatic carriers. Contamination most likely followed owner-to-animal transmission, suggesting a new route of spread for T. tonsurans, an increasingly reported species. Patients infected with T. tonsurans should therefore be informed of the risk of transmission to their companion animals.
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Jabet et al. (2026) studied this question.
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