Expression of Fungal and Host Markers in Models of Dermatophytosis on Mice and Human Epidermis.

Increasing resistance of dermatophytes against antifungals creates global public health problems, rendering essential a better understanding of virulence mechanisms and factors determining host specificity of dermatophytes. Because dermatophytes switch from a saprophytic to a parasitic lifestyle by reprogramming gene expression, reliable experimental models are needed to investigate the pathogenesis of dermatophytosis. In this study, a relevant mouse model of Trichophyton benhamiae dermatophytosis was assessed, together with a model based on reconstructed human epidermis, allowing their respective validation regarding fungal gene expressed during infection.

Effects of partial dietary substitution of groundnut meal by defatted, Aspergillus niger-fermented and heated Jatropha curcas kernel meal on feed intake and growth performance of broiler chicks.

This study was conducted to determine intake and growth performance of broiler chicks fed with Jatropha curcas kernel meal physico-chemically and biologically processed. The feed experiment lasted for 7 days with 20-day-old Ross 308 strain unsexed broiler chicks. Two dietary treatments were given each to ten animals, according to a complete randomized design.

Swimmer's Itch in Belgium: First Recorded Outbreaks, Molecular Identification of the Parasite Species and Intermediate Hosts.

Background: Cercarial dermatitis or swimmer's itch is a skin condition in humans due to the larval forms of bird schistosomes of some species of the genus Trichobilharzia. The life cycle of these schistosomes requires freshwater snails (intermediate host) and waterfowl (definitive host). Repeated exposures to cercariae can lead to skin sensitization with the induction of pruritic skin lesions.

Prevalence of Angiostrongylus vasorum in southern Belgium, a coprological and serological survey.

Background: Canine angiostrongylosis, a gastropod-borne helminthic infection, is increasingly being described in North America and is now reported in many European countries. In dogs, Angiostrongylus vasorum may cause a wide spectrum of clinical signs. Respiratory distress such as coughing and dyspnoea are the most frequently described manifestations.

Fungalysin and dipeptidyl-peptidase gene transcription in Microsporum canis strains isolated from symptomatic and asymptomatic cats.

Microsporum canis is the main pathogenic fungus that causes a superficial cutaneous infection called dermatophytosis in domestic carnivores. In cats, M. canis causes symptomatic or asymptomatic infection.