[Animal mycosis in Japan].

The incidence of animal mycosis, especially sporotrichosis, histoplasmosis and other opportunistic fungal infections, has recently increased in Japan. It may partly due to changes in the environments of human and animal life and the more intimate relation between humans and animals. Exotic animals such as hamster, guinea pig and rabbit have become a popular source of human dermatophytosis and some were imported from foreign countries followed by the emergence of fungal pathogens. Moreover, the number of cases of opportunistic deep mycotic infections have increased among old companion animals with the progress in veterinary medicine of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and prevention. Therefore, the interrelation and cooperation of medical and veterinary doctors and all other scientists involved is required to prevent human and animal mycoses.