Images (4)

Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 13.01.2025

Dieser Artikel auf Deutsch

Synonym(s)

Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please login to access all articles, images, and functions.

Our content is available exclusively to medical professionals. If you have already registered, please login. If you haven't, you can register for free (medical professionals only).


Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please complete your registration to access all articles and images.

To gain access, you must complete your registration. You either haven't confirmed your e-mail address or we still need proof that you are a member of the medical profession.

Finish your registration now

HistoryThis section has been translated automatically.

Blanchard, 1896

General informationsThis section has been translated automatically.

Zoophilic dermatophyte. Newer subspecies are also transmitted anthrophilically.

PathogenThis section has been translated automatically.

A new genotype of Tr. mentagrophytes, Tr. mentagrophytes International Transcribed Spacer (IST) genotype VII, is increasingly being observed as the cause of purulent-abscessing tinea pubogenitalis after travel to Southeast Asia. Transmission is not zoophilic but anthrophilic, exclusively from person to person. This pathogen is also the cause of an STI.

Another anthrophilic clone of Tr. mentagrophytes (Tr. mentagrophytes IST genotype VIII) has been described as a new pathogen of highly inflammatory tinea cruris and tinea corporis in India. Transmission occurs through physical contact or through contaminated clothing or bed linen (Kano R et al. 2020). Since 2020, this "clonal offshot" of T. mentagrophytes has been classified as the new species T. indotineae. This species is predominantly terbinafine-resistant. It is characterized by missense mutations of the squalene epoxidase (SQLE) gene.

Occurrence/EpidemiologyThis section has been translated automatically.

Distributed worldwide, with a focus on North America and Europe. Different animal reservoirs: guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters. The proportion of variations common in Central Europe is estimated at 10-20% of all dermatophytes.

ClinicThis section has been translated automatically.

S.u. Tinea pedum, tinea unguium, tinea corporis, tinea capitis profunda, tinea capitis superficialis, tinea barbae, tinea manuum. Mostly creeping infestation of the interdigital spaces of the feet. In chronic cases, it often affects the toenails and hairless skin. Fingernails, head hair or beard hair are less frequently affected.

MicroscopyThis section has been translated automatically.

Strongly branched hyphae (2-6 septa).

Spiral hyphae: Very numerous, often only found in strongly pigmented or granular cultures. If absent, the culture can only be identified macroscopically by the growth form.

Microconidia: Arranged in the shape of an accretion or botrytis, round (2-5 μm Ø) or pear-shaped (length: 3-4 μm; width: 2-3 μm), usually attached laterally to 1st and 2nd degree mycelial branches.

Macroconidia: If present mostly cylindrical, cigar-shaped or compressed, thin and smooth-walled, 3-8 chambers, length: 10-50 μm; width: 5-10 μm.

Rarely chlamydospores, rocket hyphae or nodular organs.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Aste N et al. (2003) Tinea pedis observed in Cagliari, Italy, between 1996 and 2000. Mycoses 46: 38-41
  2. Boralevi F et al. (2003) Lupus-erythematosus-Like Eruption Induced by Trichophyton mentagrophytes Infection. Dermatology 206: 303-306

  3. Kano R et al. (2020) Trichophyton indotineae sp. Nov.: A new highly terbinafine resistant anthrophilic dermatophyte species. Macopathologica 185: 947-958).

  4. Kupsch C det al. (2019) Trichophyton mentagrophytes - a new genotype of the zoophilic dermatophyte causing sexually transmitted infections. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 17:493-502.

  5. Nenoff P. et al. (2024) Old fungi in a new guise- a challenge in diagnostics and therapy. JDDg 20-913-915

  6. Salim A, Young E (2002) Erythema multiforme associated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 16: 645-646

Authors

Last updated on: 13.01.2025

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer