Study of diseases of the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Italy. First isolation of the dermatophyte Microsporum cookei

Citation
M. Caffara et A. Scagliarini, Study of diseases of the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Italy. First isolation of the dermatophyte Microsporum cookei, MED MYCOL, 37(1), 1999, pp. 75-77
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Microbiology
Journal title
MEDICAL MYCOLOGY
ISSN journal
13693786 → ACNP
Volume
37
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
75 - 77
Database
ISI
SICI code
1369-3786(199902)37:1<75:SODOTG>2.0.ZU;2-M
Abstract
The ecological risks connected with the introduction of the North American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Italy are many. Of particular impor tance is the conservation of the native red squirrel (S. vulgaris) populati on, since the experience from the British Isles showed that where the grey squirrel was introduced, the autochthonous red squirrel became extinct. To determine the health status of grey squirrels trapped and euthanasized duri ng an eradication campaign in the Piedmont region, various analyses were ca rried out. This paper describes a preliminary mycological investigation. Mi crosporum cookei, a geophilic dermatophyte, was isolated for the first time from grey squirrels.