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Abstract

Background and Objective Fungal dermatophytes cause infection in skin and hairs of cats and when come in contact with humans can cause infection in them. Therefore, the present work has been carried out with an objective to assess the fungal load in cats of Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Materials and Methods The hair samples from cats of Shah Alam region were collected and transferred to potato dextrose agar media by maintaining all aseptic conditions. The fungi isolated from these samples were identified by standard protocols and their prevalence was estimated. Results Out of 155 hair samples, 98 hair samples came out with fungal growth. The maximum occurrence and prevalence was of Penicillium sp. 65 in comparison with Microsporum sp. 5, Aspergillus sp. 6, Trichophyton sp. 10 and Epidermatophyton sp. 12. Conclusion Public health officers must conduct awareness programs in this region, since the cats of Shah Alam harbor a large number of dermatophytic fungal pathogens.