In vitro characterization of Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes biofilms

Dermatophytes are fungi responsible for a disease known as dermatophytosis. Biofilms are sessile microbial communities surrounded by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) with increased resistance to antimicrobial agents and host defenses. This paper describes, for the first time, the characteristics of Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes biofilms. Biofilm formation was analyzed by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) as well as by staining with crystal violet and safranin. Metabolic activity was determined using the XTT reduction assay. Both species were able to form mature biofilms in 72?h. T. rubrum biofilm produced more biomass and EPS and was denser than T. mentagrophytes biofilm. The SEM results demonstrated a coordinated network of hyphae in all directions, embedded within EPS in some areas. Research and characterization of biofilms formed by dermatophytes may contribute to the search of new drugs for the treatment of these mycoses and might inform future revisions with respect to the dose and duration of treatment of currently available antifungals.     

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。     

须癣毛癣菌致儿童脓癣1例

报道由须癣毛癣菌引起的儿童头部脓癣1例.患儿为4岁幼女,因头皮部丘疹1个月,脓肿4d就诊.内服青霉素V钾无效.取断发镜检查见发外真菌孢子,培养鉴定为须癣毛癣菌,细菌培养为棒状杆菌.经内服和外用特比萘芬抗真菌,静脉输入头孢噻肟钠联合克林霉素及万古霉素抗细菌治疗,12d后脓肿减轻,细菌培养阴转,但真菌培养仍阳性,继续抗真菌治疗2个月后皮损消退,真菌检查阴性.     

Experimental penetration of Trichophyton mentagrophytes into human stratum corneum

We present confirmation of the experimental penetration of Trichophyton mentagrophytes into human stratum corneum under designated conditions of temperature and humidity. When stratum corneum, obtained from healthy human heel region, was incubated at 100% humidity, mycelium was observed in the corneum layer on day 2 at 35 °C and 27 °C, and on day 4 at 15 °C. At 90% humidity, the hyphae penetrated into the stratum corneum on day 4 at 35 °C, and on day 6 at 27 °C. Whereas, at 80% humidity, no fungal elements were observed in the stratum corneum at both 27 °C and 35 °C for up to 7 day. These data suggested that humidity was a more important environmental factor for penetration than temperature, and that at least 90% humidity is necessary for dermatophytes to penetrate into the stratum corneum within a few days. Mean humidity in the interdigital space between the fourth and fifth toes was found to be approximately 98%. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

须癣毛癣菌致人兔共患体癣3例

报道须癣毛癣菌引起的人兔共患体癣3例.患者皮损均为环状红斑丘疹,上覆鳞屑,炎症明显,伴瘙痒,均与兔子有密切接触史,且兔子均有明显皮损.取患者及兔子的皮屑真菌镜检及培养,鉴定为须癣毛癣菌,经口服及外用抗真菌药物后治愈.     

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。     

A Study on Stability of Phenotype and Genotype of Trichophyton rubrum

Objective: To explore the stability of phenotype and genotype in Trichophyton rubrum. Methods: All the strains were cultured on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar slopes, and identified to species level. Strains isolated recently were subcultured on Sabouraud agar slopes four times at an interval of 4 weeks. DNA was extracted with CTAB method. A probe consisting of 3′ end of 18S rDNA, adjacent ITS1, 5.8S rDNA and ITS2 regions was amplified from template DNA of the T. rubrum standard strain using fungal universal primers NS5 and ITS4, labelled by P³² and hybridized with EcoR I-digested T. rubrum genomic DNA. Results: (1) Four phenotypes were isolated from 207 T. rubrum strains, with downy type (45.4%) in the first place, and granular type not found. After 1 year of conservation, 54 strains showed morphological variations with the total variation rate of 26.1%. (2) Eleven strains showed variations in colony morphology or pigment upon subculture. (3) AP-PCR analysis of 10 T. rubrum isolates and one T. rubrum standard strain showed similar DNA patterns with main bands at 2.2, 1.7, 1.3, 0.9 and 0.7 kb. No changes in DNA pattern were found upon subculture. (4) Hybridization analysis revealed that all the 11 T. rubrum strains presented three bands and were identified into two types (2.4, 3.9, 5.9 kb and 2.4, 4.4, 6.5 kb). No changes in band pattern were found upon subculture. Conclusions: Phenotype of T. rubrum was instable and the colonial morphology and pigment easily changed during conservation or subculture, while its genotype was relatively stable.     

Nucleotide sequence of a Trichophyton mentagrophytes HindIII mitochondrial DNA fragment containing at RNA gene cluster

Abstract A 0.85-kb Hin dIII mitochondrial DNA fragment of the dermatophytic fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes has been sequenced. The fragment contains eight complete genes which corresponds to a tRNA gene cluster. From 5' to 3', the sequenced genes code for tRNA^thr, tRNA^glu, tRNA^val, tRNA^met1, tRNA^met3, tRNA^leu, tRNA^ala, and tRNA^phe. This tRNA gene cluster is located downstream of the larger ribosomal RNA gene. The particularities ofthe sequenced genes and their comparison with other fungal tRNA mitochondrial genes are reported.     

Effective photodynamic treatment of Trichophyton species with Rose Bengal

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with Rose Bengal has previously achieved eradication of Trichophyton rubrum infections causing toenail onychomycosis; however, its antifungal activity against other clinically relevant dermatophytes has yet to be studied. Here, we test the efficacy of PDT using Rose Bengal (140 μM) and 532 nm irradiation (101 J/cm²) against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton interdigitale spores, in comparison to T. rubrum. A significant reduction (>99%) of T. mentagrophytes and T. interdigitale was observed, while actual eradication of viable T. rubrum was achieved (99.99%). Laser irradiation alone inhibited growth of T. rubrum (55.2%) and T. mentagrophytes (45.2%) significantly more than T. interdigitale (25.5%) (P = .0086), which may indicate an increased presence of fungal pigments, xanthomegnin and melanin. The findings suggest that Rose Bengal-PDT can act against a broader spectrum of fungal pathogens, and with continued development may be employed in a wider range of clinical antifungal applications.     

家庭内红色毛癣菌病患者间菌株差异性分析

目的用PCR技术比较分离自同一家庭红色毛癣菌病患者的菌株差异性,分析家庭内多发的红色毛癣菌病的致病菌株是家内相互感染,还是家外感染。方法以家庭内多发的皮肤癣菌病患者为研究对象,分离致病菌株并以传统方法鉴定菌种。再分别用随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)和巢式PCR特异扩增红色毛癣菌的串联重复亚元件(TRSS:TRS-1/TRS-2)产生的指纹图谱分析种内株间有无差异性。结果纳入实验的16株菌分离自8个家庭,用形态学等方法及种特异引物均鉴定为红色毛癣菌。RAPD显示4个家庭内的菌株间有差异性,TRS-1区PCR指纹图谱显示5个家庭内菌株有株间差异,TRS-2区能鉴定出2个家庭内菌株间有差异。综合各方法共区分出6个家庭内的菌株间有带型差异。结论该研究提示家庭内多发红色毛癣菌病从家外途径感染率高于家内感染。TRS-1区PCR指纹图谱对红色毛癣菌的菌株区分度高于RAPD,更适于红色毛癣菌株间分型。结合多种分子分型方法可最大限度发现不同菌株间的差异。     

红色毛癣菌的生物学特性研究

目的 观察红色毛癣菌在不同温度、不同培养基上的生长和产孢情况,并对其进行分子生物学鉴定.方法 ①大培养:采用沙堡葡萄糖琼脂(SDA)和马铃薯葡萄糖琼脂(PDA)平皿,27℃、35℃黑暗培养,测量菌落直径,绘成生长曲线.②小培养(钢圈法):采用SDA、PDA、溴甲酚紫乳固体葡萄糖琼脂(BCP-MSG)、乳蜜琼脂(M)和复合维生素B(VitB)培养基,27℃、30℃黑暗培养,观察镜下菌丝生长、孢子产生情况.③进行rDNA 18S和ITS序列测定.结果 在SDA,PDA上,27℃条件下菌落生长速度较35℃快;在5种培养基上,SDA、PDA产孢较快较多,复合维生素B培养基产孢较慢,但产生大分生孢子较多.30℃产孢更丰富.对部分菌株rDNA ITS、18S PCR扩增产物纯化后直接测序,结果在GenBank中比对、分析,相似度为98%～100%,均鉴定为红色毛癣菌.结论 SDA、PDA均为鉴定和分离红色毛癣菌的合适培养基.5种培养基均可用来刺激红色毛癣菌产孢,其中SDA、PDA产孢较早、较丰富.红色毛癣菌rDNA 18S和ITS序列测定是一种快速准确的红色毛癣菌分子生物学鉴定方法.     

红色毛癣菌临床分离株的菌落形态和镜下结构特征再分析

目的探讨红色毛癣菌的菌落形态和镜下结构特征以及与感染部位的相关性。方法采用传统培养方法对192株红色毛癣菌进行表型分型,选取其中39株在28℃、30℃、35℃3种温度孵育6d、10d、14d时观察菌落形态和生长速度。结果192株红色毛癣菌共分离出3种表型：绒毛型、沟纹型、粉末型（或颗粒型）。在相同培养基上,28℃、30℃时菌落生长速度无显著差异（P〈0.05）,均快于35℃（P〈0.05）。在相同温度时,菌落在SDA上的生长速度快于PDA培养基。在28℃、30℃时菌落形态比较稳定,在35℃时变异较大。菌落在PDA培养基上产孢丰富,镜下显示有较多的大、小分生孢子,而在SDA培养基上只有少量的小分生孢子,几乎见不到大分生孢子。各种浅部感染均以绒毛型为主,绒毛型在手足癣中占比例最高,沟纹型在体股癣中所占比例较高,粉末型在甲癣中占的比例较高。结论红色毛癣菌的菌落形态与培养基和培养温度有关,其表型和镜下结构与感染部位均有一定的相关性。     

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。     

红色毛癣菌和枝孢样枝孢霉混合感染导致银屑病患者甲真菌病1例

目的报道1例银屑病患者出现红色毛癣菌和枝孢样枝孢霉混合感染导致的甲真菌病。方法报告病例,对甲标本进行真菌镜检和培养,对病原菌进行形态学及分子生物学鉴定。结果该病例经临床、真菌镜检和真菌培养鉴定,确诊为红色毛癣菌和枝孢样枝孢霉导致的甲真菌病。病原菌通过菌落和显微镜下形态特征结合rRNA内转录间隔区序列分析证实。结论通过形态学及分子生物学鉴定,证实为真菌红色毛癣菌和枝孢样枝孢霉混合感染导致的甲真菌病。     

1株致体股癣的颗粒型红色毛癣菌变种的形态学观察与基因鉴定

目的：探讨1株致体股癣的颗粒型红色毛癣菌变种的形态学特点及核糖体基因序列变化。方法1例体股癣患者皮损中分离出1株红色毛癣菌,观察形态学特点,并用PCR测定核糖体转录间区（ITS）、D1/D2区、非转录区基因序列（NTS区）内串联重复亚单位（TRS）。结果该菌株可产生鹿角形菌丝,大分生孢子有中空现象及单侧出芽产孢特征,可在42℃生长;ITS和D1/D2区基因测序鉴定为红色毛癣菌,但TRS-1和TRS-2基因序列分别有2个、1个碱基差异。结论该菌株可能是颗粒型红色毛癣菌的1个变种。     

应用CLSI M38-A2方案测定须癣毛癣菌对抗真菌药物敏感性

目的:对我国代表地区须癣毛癣菌临床分离株作抗真菌药物敏感性测定,进一步验证CLSI的M38-A2方案.方法:选取我国南北方8个省市地区经表型和分子生物学鉴定的趾间型毛癣菌38株和苯海姆节皮菌6株,采用M38-A2方案测定氟康唑、伊曲康唑、伏立康唑、特比萘芬、灰黄霉素、联苯苄唑、环吡酮胺和阿莫罗芬等8种常见抗真菌药物的最小抑菌浓度(minimal inhibitory concentration,MIC).结果:氟康唑、伊曲康唑、伏立康唑、特比萘芬、灰黄霉素、联苯苄唑、环吡酮胺和阿莫罗芬对趾间型毛癣菌株的MIC值(μg/mL)范围分别为0.25-32、0.0312-1、0.0156-0.0625、0.000937-0.00781、0.0625-1、0.0312-2、1-2、0.00781-0.0625;对苯海姆节皮菌株的MIC值(μg/mL)范围分别为≥64、2、0.25-0.5、0.000937-0.00381、1、2-4、1-2、0.0312-0.0625.不同抗真菌药物对趾间型毛癣菌及苯海姆节皮菌的药敏有明显差别(P<0.001);趾间型毛癣菌和苯海姆节皮菌对伊曲康唑、灰黄霉素、环吡酮胺、伏立康唑和氟康唑的药敏差异有统计学意义,对特比萘芬、阿莫罗芬和联苯苄唑的药敏差异无统计学意义.结论:趾间型毛癣菌和苯海姆节皮菌之间对伊曲康唑、灰黄霉素、环吡酮胺、伏立康唑和氟康唑的药敏有明显差异.M38-A2方案有较好的重复性和稳定性,适合用来体外测定须癣毛癣菌对抗真菌药物的敏感性.     

建立真菌透甲模型及红色毛癣菌和短帚霉透甲时间的比较

目的通过建立真菌透甲模型,观察真菌透甲时间,来探讨红色毛癣菌与短帚霉的相互作用。方法建立真菌透甲模型,分为红色毛癣菌组、短帚霉组、短帚霉-红色毛癣菌混合组,分析各组透甲时间。结果透甲模型中,红色毛癣菌的透甲时间为（9.46±1.89）d,短帚霉的透甲时间为（2.62±0.96）d,混合组中短帚霉的透甲时间为（2.54±0.78）d。结论体外透甲模型中,短帚霉比红色毛癣菌先穿透甲板。混合组中,红色毛癣菌对短帚霉的透甲时间无明显影响。     

Purification and characterisation of a novel 34,000-Mr cell-associated proteinase from the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum

Abstract A novel cell-associated proteinase was purified to homogeneity from cytoplasmic antigen preparations of Trichophyton rubrum by sequential isoelectric focusing and gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme exhibited relative molecular masses of 34,000- M _r (non-reduced sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)), 15,000- M _r (reduced SDS-PAGE) and 37,000- M _r (substrate SDS-PAGE). It had a pH optimum of 7.5 and a p I of 4.5. The proteinase exhibited broad substrate specificity and it was strongly inhibited by the serine proteinase inhibitors phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and chymostatin. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 34,000- M _r proteinase shared 50% homology with the deduced amino acid sequence of a Coccidioides immitis wall-associated chymotrypsin-type serine proteinase. This is the first cell-associated proteinase to be purified and characterised from T. rubrum and it would appear to be related to the chymotrypsin-type serine proteinases, a class of enzymes that have rarely been isolated from fungi. The function of the proteinase remains speculative although it may play a role in the development and subsequent proliferation of the fungus in vivo.     

联合应用抗真菌药物对不同地区来源红色毛癣菌的体外敏感性实验

目的调查联合应用抗真菌药物对不同地区来源红色毛癣菌的体外抗真菌作用,探讨药物的体外相互作用及地区因素对红色毛癣菌药物敏感性的影响。方法以M38-A方案测定酮康唑、萘替芬、联合使用酮康唑萘替芬以及单用特比萘芬对红色毛癣菌的最小抑菌浓度(MIC),并计算了酮康唑与萘替芬的药物间抑菌浓度指数(FICI)。结果联合使用酮康唑萘替芬组的最小抑菌浓度显著低于单用酮康唑、萘替芬组,和单用特比萘芬组的疗效相似。北京的红色毛癣菌株对上述药物的敏感度均低于上海和南京的菌株。结论联合应用抗真菌药物优于单用,地区差异可能会影响红色毛癣菌对药物的敏感性。