Prevalence and gene encoding calmodulin of some fungi species isolated from dogs’ hair treated in animal clinics in Can Tho city

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and gene encoding calmodulin (cmd) on some fungal species isolated from dogs’ hair in Can Tho city. By culturing and morphological identification, it was found that fungi were highly present (85.45%) on hairs of healthy and fungal-infected dogs, regardless of breed, hair morphology, feeding method, or age. However, the fungal infection rate in female dogs was higher than that in male dogs, with 89.92% and 81.29%, respectively. There were diverse fungal species in dogs’ hair, including pathogenic species such as Microsporum spp. and Trichophyton spp., but Aspergillus spp. was the most common. In addition, several phenotypes of fungal species infections on dogs’ hair were recorded. By PCR method, it was determined that the gene cmd was highly present (41.19%) on isolated fungal strains, and the highest was on Aspergillus spp. (64.23%). Therefore, healthy and fungi-infected dogs can carry fungal strains that cause skin and coat diseases, and controlling hygiene and fungal conditions in dogs is essential to prevent the transmission of diseases to other animals and to humans through contact.