Arthroderma benhamiae infection in the Central African hedgehog Erinaceus albiventris, and a report of a human case.

The occurrence of ringworm caused by Arthroderma benhamiae Ajello & Cheng is reported in Central African hedgehogs (Erinaceus albiventris Wagner), caught near Nairobi, Kenya. Of the 45 animals examined, 10 were positive on culture, including a litter of 4 young. Six infected animals were without lesions, and 2 littermates showed scaly areas similar to those described in E. europaeus L. caused by Trichophyton erinacei (Smith & Marples) Padhye & Carmichael. No correlation with mite infestation or mange lesions was evident. Ringworm-like lesions were found which were repeatedly negative on culture. A human infection by A. benhamiae was contracted from the hedgehogs.