Isolation of fungi from the pelage of cats and dogs using the hairbrush technique.

A total of 178 cats and 59 dogs in Palmerston North, New Zealand were sampled for the presence of keratinophilic fungi on their pelage; 57.8% had fungi. The fungi were classified in 20 genera with the predominant species being members of the genera; Chrysosporium, Microsporum and Trichophyton. Cats were the major carriers of keratinolytic fungi. 18.5% of the cats and 5.1% of the dogs were either carriers or infected with M. canis. Microsporum canis was a frequent isolate and its distribution had a seasonal variation, with a peak appearing in May-June.