Phenotypical and molecular characterization of Microsporum canis strains in north-east Brazil

AIMS: This study investigated the possible correlation between the phenotypical and genotypical characteristics of Microsporum canis isolated from cats and dogs in north-east Brazil. METHODS AND RESULTS: The mycological study was conducted by direct microscopic examination and by fungal culture. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction enzyme analysis and random amplification of polymorphic DNA techniques were used for the genotypical analysis. The morphological analysis showed a considerable diversity of colonies as well as different morphologies of conidia, despite the M. canis strains having been isolated under the same conditions. However, the molecular analysis showed that all analysed strains are genetically similar. CONCLUSIONS: This study, based on phenotypical and molecular analysis, evidences the wide spectrum of phenotypical variations in M. canis in contrast to the stable genotypes of such dermatophytes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The findings of this study indicate that M. canis isolated from cats and dogs with dermatophytosis in north-east Brazil may be clones, well adapted to the conditions of this region, despite M. canis showing different morphological features.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> susceptibility testing of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microsporum gypseum</Emphasis> isolated from healthy cattle and soil samples against itraconazole,terbinafine, fluconazole and topical veterinarian drugs

The present study evaluated in vitro susceptibility testing of dermatophytes isolates from healthy cattle and soil samples against three antifungal agents and three topical veterinarian drugs. Itraconazole and terbinafine showed a higher in vitro fungicidal activity than fluconazole. The veterinarian drugs LEPECID^® and iodine 5% were more active in vitro than the UNGÜENTO^® spray. All drugs showed fungicidal activity against Microsporum gypseum, and they may be considered as efficient agents for the topical treatment of dermatophytoses in cattle.     

Fungal morphogenesis induced by natural and synthetic substances: Herniarin-induced alterations in the dermatophyte Microsporum cookie Ajello

Abstract

The effects of either synthetic or natural substances on the normal morphogenetic processes in fungi are reviewed. Original results concerning the changes induced in the dermatophyte Microsporum cookei Ajello by the UVA-activated coumarin, herniarin, are reported. Alterations in the shape and wall assembly of parietal components are discussed on the basis of the most recent knowledge on the formation and growth of fungal hyphae.     

Epidemiology of dermatophytoses in a rural community in Eastern Nigeria and review of literature from Africa

A total of 4,287 primary school children, comprising 1,740 males and 2,547 females in Arochukwu local government area of Abia state Nigeria were examined for clinical signs of dermatophytoses. About 873 (20.4%), consisting of 505 males and 368 females had lesions consistent with dermatophytoses. The disease was more prevalent in males (29%) than females (14.4%) in a ratio of approximately 2:1 (P < 0.05). The infection rate increased from 16.8% in the 4–6 year age group to a peak of 28.1% in the 10–12 year age bracket and dropped sharply to 5.6% in the 16–18 year group. The highest prevalence (39%) was observed among males aged 10–12 years while females 16–18 years had the lowest prevalence (2.5%). Tinea capitis was the predominant clinical type of dermatophytoses, and occurred in 13.7% of the total population studied and 67% of lesion positive cases. Trichophyton soudanense and Trichophyton tonsurans the predominant aetiological agents of dermatophytoses with a prevalence of 26.2% and 21.6%, respectively. Others include Trichophyton mentagrophytes (18.8%), Epidermophyton floccosum (8.3%), Microsporum audouinii (6.4%), Microsporum gypseum (6.0%), Trichophyton rubrum (5.5%) and Microsporum ferrugineum (7.3%), which was isolated for the first time in Nigeria.     

宠物猫致夫妻共患犬小孢子菌体癣

报道由犬小孢子菌引起的人畜共患体癣2例,二者系夫妻,家中饲养宠物猫。因多发环状红斑2周就诊。取患者及猫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。     

Dermatophytes isolated from symptomatic dogs and cats in Tuscany,Italy during a 15-year-period

Between January, 1, 1986 and December, 31, 2000, dermatological specimens from 10.678 animals (7.650 cats and 3.028 dogs) were examined for dermatophytes. All the animals presented clinical signs of ringworm. Two thousand-four hundred fifty-six of the 10.678 (23%) examined animals scored positive for dermatophytes, 566 out of 3.028 canine (18.7%) and 1890 out of 7.650 feline specimens (24.7%). Microsporum canis constituted 83% and 97% of the isolated dermatophytes respectively in dogs and cats, M. gypseum represented 13% and 2.6% and T. mentagrophytes 5.5% and 0.2%. A sexual predisposition for mycotic infections was not observed. The animals with less than 1 year of age were more frequently infected. Canine toy breeds showed a significantly higher (P < 0.001) prevalence of infections by M. canis. Microsporum gypseum was mostly recorded from sporting (hunting) breeds [such as T. mentagrophytes (6.7%)]. Microsporum canis was isolated from long-haired cats with a ratio of 2:1 versus short-haired cats, while M. gypseum and T. mentagrophytes were never recovered from Persian cats. The annual distribution of the infections in dogs showed a significantly higher incidence for M. gypseum in summer versus winter and spring, while the recovery rate of M. canis from cats was very significantly higher in fall and winter than in summer and spring. Trichophyton mentagrophytes did not show a similar seasonal distribution.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

阴囊皮肤癣菌病患者临床及真菌学分析

目的 探讨阴囊皮肤癣菌病患者的致病菌、临床特征、易感因素及治疗转归等相关因素。方法 回顾性分析2007—2017年广州市中山大学附属第三医院经真菌学检查确诊的24例阴囊癣病例,分析患者一般资料、临床特征、发病相关因素、合并其他部位浅部真菌病情况、病原菌及治疗转归等情况。结果 24例阴囊癣患者均为青少年,平均年龄19.6岁,平均病程2.9个月。患者分离皮肤癣菌24株,其中石膏样小孢子菌15株（62.50%）、红色毛癣菌7株（29.17%）和絮状表皮癣菌2株（8.33%）。石膏样小孢子菌主要引起阴囊单纯性感染,临床表现为特征性的白色伪膜样斑片,而红色毛癣菌多引起阴囊及其他部位皮肤癣菌病。结论 阴囊癣多见于青少年,石膏样小孢子菌为主要病原菌,其临床表现具有一定特征性。     

First case of Microsporum ferrugineum from Tunisia

This is the first case of Microsporum ferrugineum isolated from a Tunisian patient. A 60-year-old man was admitted for tinea sycosis associated with circinate herpes of the hand. Examination disclosed diffuse erythematic and perifollicular papules and pustules in the beard area. Typical ringworm vesiculo-pustular lesions involved skin of the hand. Isolates were identified as Microsporum sp on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic colony characteristics. The diagnosis of M. ferrugineum was confirmed by PCR sequencing of Chitin Synthase1 gene. The patient was treated successfully with Griseofulvin, which was administered for 4 weeks.     

A report on the predominant occurrence of a dermatophyte species in cultivated soil from Kuwait

From several soil samples screened for the occurrence of keratinolytic fungi, soils cultivated with ornamental plants were found to contain strains of the dermatophytic fungusMicrosporum gypseum. One soil sample was dominated by this species.     

An outbreak of dermatophytosis in pigs caused byMicrosporum canis

An outbreak of dermatophytosis caused byMicrosporum canis in a porcine farm is described. The morbidity was 100% among sows, 95% among new-borns and 75% among feedlot animals.Microsporum canis was also isolated from walls and environmental air.