Ringworm in wild European hedgehogs: clinical and therapeutic approach in a French wildlife rehabilitation centre
The upraising number of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) admitted every year to wildlife rehabilitation centres in Western Europe might be a source of concern to animal and public health since transmissible diseases, such as dermatophytosis can be easily disseminated after direct contact with affected animals. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of dermatophytes in hedgehogs admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre from Ile-de-France region, France, and to assess the risk of contamination in order to adapt control measures. A longitudinal cohort study was performed in 412 hedgehogs hosted at the Wildlife Animal Hospital of the Veterinary College of Alfort (Chuv-FS) from January to December 2016. Animals were sampled once a month for fungal culture. Dermatophyte colonies were obtained from 177 out of 726 skin surface samples (29.5%). Trichophyton erinacei was the predominant species, it was detected in 23.3% of sampled animals, and its distribution seemed not to be associated to age, sex, season or geographical origin. Among T. erinacei-positive animals, 79.2% were asymptomatic carriers. Although healing required several months of treatment with topical and systemic azoles, dermatophytosis did not seem to reduce the probability of release. This study brings up some suggestions to be adopted by animal caretakers at rescue centres