Fungal flora of the hair coat of stray cats in Iran.

The fungal flora of the hair coat of 100 stray cats in different districts of the city of Isfahan, Iran, were examined. Saprophytic fungi were isolated from all cats. Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Mucor and Cladosporium spp. were the most frequently isolated saprophytes. Microsporum canis was isolated from all kittens with clinical signs of dermatophytosis. In other cases, M. canis was isolated only from 22 of the 96 cats. No significant differences in sex, hair length, and fungal flora of the hair coat were found between the M. canis-infected and M. canis-free cats.