Abstract

Keratinophilic and saprophytic fungi are microor- ganisms that have been isolated in hairs and nails in small species. They have a high zoonotic potential with immune compromised patients being the population with the highest risk. In the present study, the presence of keratinophilic fungi and saprophytes was evaluated in dogs with dermatological lesions examined in the Veterinary Hospital of San Carlos of Guatemala University in 2016. A total of 1,457 patients were evaluated, of which 195 presented dermatological lesions. The potassium hydroxide (KOH) test was performed on the fur of patients with dermatological lesions. KOH-positive patients underwent mycological culture with dextrose sabourad agar and selective agar for pathogenic fungi with cycloheximide. 13.38% of the patients presented dermatological lesions. 18.46% were positive to the KOH test. 16.7% obtained growth to keratinophilic and saprophytic fungi. Four genera were isolated: Mucor spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. and Alternaria spp. Of these 50% of the cases was Mucor spp.; being 16.7% respectively for the rest of the pathogens. The data obtained indicate the presence of keratinophilic and saprophytic fungi in the canine population.