MICROBIOLOGY 1V

FUNGAL INFECTIONS
DERMATOPHYTES
(COMMON SPECIES OF DERMATOPHYTES)
Neeza Abdulla (30587)
3/17/2013

Brief description of ,common species of dermatophytes, cultural

characteristics ,microscopy and where it is found.
Neeza Abdulla /30587 DMLT 12 TH batch

Dermatophytes
Description
Dermatophytosis is a general term used to define the infection in hair, skin or nails due to
any dermatophyte species.The dermatophytes are not a particular fungus but rather a common
short-hand label for a group of three genera of fungi that commonly cause skin disease of
people and animals and are able to colonize keratinized tissues. They are identified according
to the features produced when grown on a suitable agar medium and classified in to 3 genera
based on the shape of macroconidia:-

Epidermophyton,- pyriform,rough walls

Trichophyton, - cylindrical form, smooth walls
Microsporum. –fusiform, rough walls

Trichophyton spp.
Description and Natural Habitats

Trichophyton is a dermatophyte which inhabits the soil, humans or animals. Related to its
natural habitats, the genus includes anthropophilic, zoophilic, and geophilic species. Some
species are cosmopolitan. Others have a restricted geographic distribution. Trichophyton
concentricum, for example, is endemic at Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and Central
America. Trichophyton is one of the leading causes of hair, skin, and nail infections in
humans. Most of theTrichophyton species have teleomorphic forms and these teleomorphs
are classified in the genus Arthroderma.

Species

The genus Trichophyton has several species. Most common are Trichophyton
mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton schoenleinii,Trichophyton
tonsurans, Trichophyton verrucosum, and Trichophyton violaceum.

Pathogenicity and Clinical Significance

Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton are the causative agents

of dermatophytosis and infect the hair, skin, and nails. Similar to the other two
genera, Trichophyton is a keratinophilic filamentous fungus. Ability to invade keratinized
tissues and the possession of several enzymes, such as acid proteinases, elastase, keratinases,
and other proteinases are the major virulence factors of these fungi.

Trichophyton rubrum is the commonest causative agent of dermatophytoses

worldwide . Trichophyton species may cause invasive infections in immunocompromised
hosts.
Neeza Abdulla /30587 DMLT 12 TH batch

Microsporum spp.
Description and Natural Habitats

Microsporum is a filamentous keratinophilic fungus included in the group of dermatophytes.

While the natural habitat of some of the Microsporum spp. is soil (the geophilic species),
others primarily affect various animals (the zoophilic species) or human (the anthropophilic
species). Some species are isolated from both soil and animals (geophilic and zoophilic).
Most of the Microsporum spp. are widely distributed in the world while some have restricted
geographic distribution. Microsporum is the asexual state of the fungus and the telemorph
phase is referred to as genus Arthroderma .

Species

The genus Microsporum includes 17 conventional species. Among these, the most significant
are:
M. audouinii, M. gallinae, M. ferrugineum, M. distortum, M. nanum, M. canis, M. gypseum
M. cookei, M. vanbreuseghemii

Pathogenicity and Clinical Significance

Microsporum is one of the three genera that cause dermatophytosis. Similar to other
dermatophytes, Microsporum has the ability to degrade keratin and thus can reside on skin
and its appandages and remains noninvasive. As well as the keratinase enzyme, proteinases
and elastases of the fungus may act as virulence factors. Notably,Microsporum spp. mostly
infect the hair and skin, except for Microsporum persicolor which does not infect hair. Nail
infections are very rare. The pathogenesis of the infection depends on the natural reservoir of
the species. Geophilic spp. are acquired via contact with soil. Zoophilic species are
transmitted from the infected animal. Direct or indirect (via fomites) human-to-human
transmission is of concern for anthropophilic species. Asymptomatic carriage may be
observed. As well as the otherwise healthy hosts, immunocompromised patients are also
infected .
Neeza Abdulla /30587 DMLT 12 TH batch

Epidermophyton spp
Description and Natural Habitats

Epidermophyton is a filamentous fungus and one of the three fungal genera classified
as dermatophytes. It is distributed worldwide. Man is the primary host of Epidermophyton
floccosum, the only species which is pathogenic. The natural habitat of the related but the
nonpathogenic species Epidermophyton stockdaleae is soil

Species

The genus Epidermophyton contains two species; Epidermophyton

floccosum and Epidermophyton stockdaleae. E. stockdaleae is known to be nonpathogenic,
leaving E. floccosum as the only species causing infections in humans.

Pathogenicity and Clinical Significance

E. floccosum is one of the common causes of dermatophytosis in otherwise healthy

individuals. It infects skin (tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis) and nails
(onychomycosis). The infection is restricted to the nonliving cornified layers of epidermis
since the fungus lacks the ability to penetrate the viable tissues of the immunocompetent
host . Disseminated infections due to any of the dermatophytes are very unlikely due to the
restriction of the infection to keratinized tissues. However, invasive E. floccosum infection
has been reported in an immunocompromised patient with Behcet's syndrome . As with all
forms of dermatophytosis, Epidermophyton floccosum infections are communicable and
usually transmitted by contact, particularly in common showers and gym facilities.
Neeza Abdulla /30587 DMLT 12 TH batch

Some Common species of dermatophytes

Trichophyton mentagrophytes
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Trichophyton rubrum
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Trichophyton tonsurans
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Microsporum canis
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Microsporum gypseum
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Epidermophyton floccosum
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Reference:

Yvonne Clayton,Gillian midgley. (1985). Pocket picture guides MedicalMycology. london ,UK: Gover
Medical Publishings ltd.

Doctorfungus.com.dermatocytes.13thmarch2013

(http://www.doctorfungus.org/thefungi/dermatophytes.php)
(http://www.doctorfungus.org/thefungi/Epidermophyton.php)
(http://www.doctorfungus.org/thefungi/Trichophyton.php)
Neeza Abdulla /30587 DMLT 12 TH batch