Amino acid- or protein-dependent growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum

Culture conditions were examined for Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum, which are major pathogens involved in dermatophytosis. They grew well in Sabouraud's dextrose broth or RPMI 1640. Growth in phosphate-buffered yeast nitrogen base supplemented with glucose was very slow, although growth improved significantly with the addition of amino acids or proteins to the medium. The fungi could also grow using human nail fragments as the only source of nutrition. Examination of proteases by substrate gel electrophoresis indicated that distinct sets of proteases are secreted from the dermatophytes in two different media, Sabouraud's dextrose broth and nail fragments. A protease inhibitor, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, inhibited the growth of the fungi on nail fragments, but it did not inhibit their growth in Sabouraud's dextrose broth.     

红色毛癣菌菌株的特异性PCR鉴定方法研究

目的建立一种快速的红色毛癣菌分子生物学鉴定方法。方法根据红色毛癣菌保守区域-真菌核糖体DNA（rDNA）的转录间隔区（ITS）设计特异性引物,采用上游：ITS19865＇GAC ACC AAG AAA AAA TTC TCT GAA GA3＇,下游：ITS24415＇GTC CTG AGG GCG CTG AA3＇为引物对45株红色毛癣菌、5株须癣毛癣菌和1株紫色毛癣菌菌株的DNA进行PCR扩增,观察产物电泳带型的差异。结果 45株红色毛癣菌均能扩增出目的片段,5株须癣毛癣菌和1株紫色毛癣菌均无目的片段扩增出。结论红色毛癣菌可用特异引物PCR方法快速鉴定。     

Trichophyton tonsurans infection of the scalp

Of 484 cases of ringworm of the scalp observed in a period of two and a half years at a clinic in Los Angeles, 57 (11.78 per cent) were caused by Trichophyton tonsurans, an organism previously considered an infrequent cause of tinea capitis in the United States. The hairs at the site of infection with this organism are distinctively fluorescent when viewed under a Wood light-glowing white rather than green as do hairs infected with microsporum. Endothrix spore formation may be noted in microscopic examination of infected hairs. Material planted on Sabouraud's media grows as a typical crateriform colony. Occasionally variant growths on cultures are obtained. Trichophyton tonsurans may cause either dry, scaly lesions or inflammatory reaction. In the present series the incidence of cure was higher and the period of treatment shorter for patients with the inflammatory variety. Various antifungal preparations were employed for topical application and although the results were extremely variable, it was felt that some benefit was derived from their use. For lesions of the dry, non-inflammatory type, roentgen ray epilation appeared to be the treatment of choice.     

三种抗菌织物对红色毛癣菌和须癣毛癣菌生长抑制效应的实验研究

目的通过分析汉麻织物、含纳米银锦纶纤维织物和无机银抗菌整理后棉布对红色毛癣菌、须癣毛癣菌生长的影响,探讨抗菌织物对皮肤癣菌的抑制作用。方法制备红色毛癣菌、须癣毛癣菌的菌悬液,分别接种于上述抗菌织物,并紧贴在PDA培养基表面培养,每12 h观察菌落形态及大小,根据菌落平均直径绘制生长曲线。结果三种抗菌织物上24 h内均未见菌落生长。①汉麻布样上,红色毛癣菌和须癣毛癣菌菌落直径分别在36-84 h、36-72 h时间区间内小于棉布组,差异有显著性（P〈0.05）,之后与棉布组渐趋一致。②含纳米银锦纶织物上,在36-108 h内红色毛癣菌菌落直径小于棉布组,差异有显著性（P〈0.05）,120 h时已无显著差异（P〉0.05）,须癣毛癣菌在48 h后才开始生长,在60-108 h区间内菌落直径小于棉布对照（P〈0.05）。③无机银抗菌整理后棉布样上,红色毛癣菌和须癣毛癣菌分别在48 h和60 h后才开始生长,在120 h以内两种皮肤癣菌菌落直径均小于棉布组,差异有显著性（P〈0.05）。结论三种抗菌织物与棉布相比较,在一定时间区间内,均可显著抑制红色毛癣菌和须癣毛癣菌的生长,尤其是经无机银抗菌整理后棉布的抑菌更有效和持久。     

Whole-genome resequencing of Trichophyton rubrum provides insights into population differentiation and drug resistance

Mycopathologia - Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) is anthropophilic fungus and thus a very common cause of dermatophyte infections around the world. Infection of T. rubrum could result in conditions...     

Familial Cases of Trichophyton benhamiae Infection Transmitted from a Guinea Pig in Iran

Mycopathologia - Trichophyton benhamiae is a zoophilic dermatophyte mainly transmitted to humans from guinea pigs. This zoophilic species can also cause dermatophytosis as reported by human contact...     

须癣毛癣菌的形态学及分子生物学鉴定

目的对临床上分离自人(36株)及狐狸(5株)的须癣毛癣菌菌株进行新的分类系统鉴定,并检测传统的分类方法是否能满足临床鉴定需要。方法①观察原鉴定为须癣毛癣菌菌株在沙氏培养基、1%蛋白胨培养基、溴甲酚紫乳固体葡萄糖琼脂培养基(BCP-MSG)和显微镜下形态学及尿素酶、毛发穿孔等生理学试验表现。②通过ITS区段和LSU区段分子生物学序列分析进行新的分类系统的菌种分型,并对传统形态学和生理学鉴定方法进行检测。结果①41株须癣毛癣菌形态学及生理学试验符合须癣毛癣菌(38株)和红色毛癣菌(3株)菌落的特点。②ITS区段序列分析发现ITS区段能将须癣毛癣菌和红色毛癣菌准确的鉴定到种,但无法明确其种内分型;而LSU区段序列分析可对36株(36/38)须癣毛癣菌有性型做出明确的鉴定。结论传统实验室鉴定方法仍具有其有效性及可靠性。通过分子生物学鉴定,临床分离的须癣毛癣菌皆为指(趾)间毛癣菌(38/38),而LSU区段的序列分析鉴定狐狸源性菌株皆属于本海姆节皮菌,有别于大多数人源性菌株有性型为万博节皮菌,对于须癣毛癣菌的菌种鉴定更优于ITS区段,但分子生物学试验还需结合形态学的观察,才能够对菌种做出正确的鉴定。     

Antigenic relationship between downy and granular forms of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum

One strain each of granular and downy varieties of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and two strains each of granular and floccose colonial types Trichophyton rubrum were used for preparation of antigens. The antigens were analyzed by double diffusion against homologous and heterologous antisera raised in rabbits. A total of 17 distinct antigens were recognized, seven of which were common to two dermatophytes. Granular and downy varieties of the Trichophyton species produced on additional line of nonidentity. Cross reactions failed to establish any relationship between similar morphologic forms of different dermatophytes. One isolate of T. rubrum, which was originally the floccose culture type but changed into the granular form after artificial infection, showed an antigenic relationship to the floccose culture.     

Trichophyton Spp. fungal keratitis in 22 years old female contact lenses wearer

Fungal keratitis represents one of the most difficult forms of microbial keratitis to diagnose and treat successfully. It is difficult to obtain correct diagnosis and topical antifungal preparations. Fungi can cause severe stromal necrosis and enter the anterior chamber by penetrating an intact Descemet membrane. The most common pathogens are filamentous fungi (Aspergillus and Fusarium spp.) and Candida albicans. The incidence of Trichophyton spp. keratitis is 5%. A 22 years old female contact lenses wearer after keratitis developed corneal melting syndrome, spontaneous perforation of the cornea and complicated cataract of the left eye. Conjunctival swab was sterile as well as first sample of corneal tissue and sample from the anterior chamber. Urgent therapeutic perforating keratoplasty (PK), was performed together with extracapsular cataract extraction and the implantation of the intraocular lens in the posterior chamber. The patient was treated with ciprofloxacin and diflucan (systemic therapy); with dexamethason and atropin (subconjunctivaly) and chlorhexidine, brolene, levofloxacin, polimyxin B, and dexamethason/neomycin (topically). Microbiology evaluation was performed once again following excisional biopsy of the intracameral portion of the lesion. The presence of Trichophyton spp. was finally confirmed. Itraconazole and garamycin were included in the systemic therapy. Corneal graft was clear for 17 days but decompensated 28 days after the PK. After two weeks microorganisms invaded the vitreous and caused endophthalmitis. Despite urgent pars plana vitrectomy patient developed endophthalmitis, lost light sensation and developed phthysis. Evisceration and the implantation of silicon prosthesis was done. Perforating keratoplasty is a method of choice in treating severe infectious keratitis unresponsive to conservative treatment but without the eradication of microorganisms it cannot restore the vision or save the eye. Trichophyton spp. may cause a severe disease of the anterior and posterior part of the eye which may finish with the lost of vision/eye. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of Trichophyton spp. keratitis are essential for a good visual outcome.     

Enzymes of Trichophyton rubrum

Jensen, Altschuler &Bard (1957) have surveyed the respiratory enzymes ofTrichophyton mentagrophytes. Enzymes of the hexosediphosphate, hexosemonophosphate, and tricarboxylic acid pathways were found plus a group of miscellaneous enzymes. In view of the close morphological, immunological, and nutritional similarities ofT. mentagrophytes toTrichophyton rubrum, we felt that a study of the enzymology of the latter organism had potential value in forming a basis for the comparison of the two dermatophytes. Our results showed that cell-free extracts ofT. rubrum contain glucokinase, TPN-dependent glucose and fructose dehydrogenases and separate TPN- and DPN-linked glycerol dehydrogenases. These results are in accord with findings of other investigators. ATPase activity was minimal, and shikimic acid kinase, and shikimic and quinic acid dehydrohydrogenases were not detected.     

红色毛癣菌致儿童脓癣1例

报道儿童脓癣1例。患儿男,5岁,头部左后侧圆形脓肿破溃结痂伴瘙痒疼痛半个月余。取断发及脓液直接镜检及真菌培养均阳性,做小培养确定菌种为红色毛癣菌,经综合治疗后痊愈。     

须癣毛癣菌致成人眉区脓癣1例

报告1例由须癣毛癣菌引起的眉毛区域脓癣。患者女性,46岁,左眉部周围红斑1个月。致病菌株经真菌学鉴定为须癣毛癣菌。给予盐酸特比萘芬250mg/d口服,硝酸舍他康唑软膏外用,治疗1个月后皮损完全愈合。     

Analytical isoelectric focusing of secreted dermatophyte proteins applied to taxonomic differentiation of Microsporum and Trichophyton species (preliminary studies)

Culture filtrates were prepared from dermatophytes under standard conditions and adapted for analytical isoelectric focusing in thin layer polyacrylamide gels over the pH range 3.5-9.5. Dermatophytes grown in trypticase soy broth secreted a large number of proteins displaying a wide range of isoelectric points (pIs). Trichophyton megninii extracts contained a triplet of proteins focusing in the pH 8.0-8.5 range that were absent in taxonomically related T. kuryangei isolates. Single ascospore isolates and standard tester strains of Nannizzia otae (+) mating type were differentiated from the (-) mating type by proteins focusing at pH 6.5 and 8.4. These were markedly reduced in the (+) type. The isofocused pattern of Microsporum canis conformed closely to the (-) mating type of N. otae. The protein patterns of T. megninii and T. kuryangei were distinct from those obtained with M. canis and M. equinum because of an intense-staining broad protein band, pI 7.2, and three periodic acid-Schiff-positive glycoproteins focusing in the acidic range which were absent in the Microsporum species. A characteristic protein or doublet (pI 8.7) was present in the Microsporum species and absent in the Trichophyton species. Analytical isoelectric focusing is a potentially useful method to distinguish inter- and intra-species differences in the pattern of secreted dermatophyte proteins present in culture filtrates and in trichophytins. The information derived may be useful in the classification of species.     

Dermatophytosis of pigs by Trichophyton mentagrophytes

We describe the isolation of Trichophyton mentagrophytes in two family-operated farms where the animals were suffering skin ailments characterized by a swelling and a reddening of the back and flanks.This condition affected 2 and 5% respectively of the animals on the farms, the younger ones being more frequently affected.     

Antifungal and fungicidal activities of tea extract and catechin against Trichophyton

We examined tea extract, (-) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) and theaflavin digallate (TF3) for their antifungal and fungicidal activities against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Tea extract (2.5%) inhibited completely the growth of both T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. EGCg at 2.5 mg/ml failed to inhibit their growth, whereas TF3 at 0.5 mg/ml inhibited the growth. EGCg (1mg/ml) showed no fungicidal activity against Trichophyton. TF3 (1mg/ml) killed Trichophyton by a long time contact (72-96 hrs). Tea extract showed a fungicidal activity against Trichophyton in a dose- and contact time-dependent manner. It did not inhibit the growth of C. albicans, but at a high concentration, inhibited slightly the growth of C. neoformans. It had no fungicidal activity against C. albicans or C. neoformans.     

红色毛癣菌蛋白酶MEP和SUB的表达及临床意义

目的探讨红色毛癣菌蛋白酶MEP和SUB的表达及临床意义。方法抽提红色毛癣菌总RNA,采用半定量RTPCR法检测红色毛癣菌金属蛋白酶(Metalloproteinases,MEP)、枯草菌素蛋白酶(subtilisins,SUB)基因表达量的变化。结果不同病例的红色毛癣菌SUB的表达水平与临床症状的严重程度密切相关,而与患者的年龄、性别、病程等无明显相关性;MEP的表达水平在不同年龄、性别、病程和临床分型等方面存在一定差异,但无显著意义。结论红色毛癣菌致病力的大小可能与SUB的不同表达有关。     

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of various forms of fungal infections caused by Trichophyton tonsurans

In the years 1977-1996 103 cases of mycosis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans with lesions in a variety of locations were treated. T. tonsurans was most often cultured from the feet (61.2%), and toe nails (22.3%), although smaller quantities were also obtained from other locations. In 1990, an endemic focus of superficial ringworm of the hairless skin caused by T. tonsurans was observed in 23 village children. The endemic focus of trichophytos is caused by this dermatophyte gives evidence of a high infectious potential of this species. In favourable circumstances the dermatophyte can cause massive fungal infections also in our geographic region.     

Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection in a raccoon

Visible ringworm infection did not appear on a male raccoon captured in Bexar County, Texas. Shaving the abdomen of the animal caused the appearance of typical ringworm infection within a few months.Trichophyton mentagrophytes was isolated from the infected area. This is the first report on theTrichophyton infection in this animal.     

Trichophyton species susceptibility to green and red propolis from Brazil

Aims:  The in vitro antifungal activity of Brazilian green and red propolis was tested against different species of Trichophyton .
Methods and Results:  The antifungal activity of the Brazilian aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the green propolis and the alcoholic extract of red propolis was observed against Trichophyton rubrum , Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton mentagrohytes samples, using as controls itraconazole and terbinafine. The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined following the microdilution method indicated by the 'Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute'. The minimal fungicide concentration was determined by the absence of growth in liquid sabouraud culture medium. The data obtained showed that the green propolis alcoholic extract's antifungal activity was from 64 to 1024 μg ml⁻¹, whereas the red propolis alcoholic extract was from 8 to 1024 μg ml⁻¹.
Conclusions:  The antifungal activity of the red propolis alcoholic extract was more efficient than the green propolis alcoholic extract for all three species studied. The T. rubrum samples were shown to be more sensitive to the antifungal activity of the alcoholic extracts of the propolis.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The antifungal potential of the alcoholic extracts of green and red propolis demonstrated suggest an applicable potential as an alternative treatment for dermatophytosis caused by these species.