Trichophyton-rubrum complex

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Definition
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Dermatophyte complex, whose species and varieties are the most common pathogens of dermatomycoses worldwide, such as Tinea pedis, Tinea corporis and onychomycosis (Tinea unguium).

According to the original definition, the following species and varieties belonged to the Trichophyton-rubrum complex, whereby the pleomorphism and cultural variability of the dermatophytes make their identification difficult.

  • Trichphyton glabrum
  • Trichphyton circonvolutum
  • Trichophyton fischeri
  • Trichphyton fluviomuniense
  • Trichophyton gourvili
  • Trichophyton kanei
  • Trichophyton kuryangei
  • trichophyton megnini
  • Trichophyton pedis
  • rough-necked trichophyton
  • Trichophyton rodhaini
  • Trichophyton rubrum var. nigricans
  • Trichophyton soudanenese
  • Trichophyton violceum var. indicum
  • Trichophyton yaoundei

Manifestation
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Based on molecular data, a reclassification of the Trichophyton-rubrum complex was carried out (Grasses Y et al. 2000). Here it was shown that these nomenclatorically different dermatophytes can be assigned to 2 strains alone in terms of molecular genetics:

stem1: Trichophyton violaceum

Stem2: Trichophyton rubrum

The following dermatophytes belong to strain 1 Trichophyton violaceum or are identical and therefore to be regarded as synonyms:

  • Trichphyton glabrum
  • Trichophyton gourvili
  • Trichophyton kuryangei
  • Trichophyton soudanenese (possibly own species)
  • Trichophyton violceum var. indicum
  • Trichophyton yaoundei

The following dermatophytes belong to strain 2 Trichophyton rubrum or are identical and therefore to be regarded as synonyms:

  • Trichophyton fischeri
  • Trichphyton fluviomuniense
  • Trichophyton kanei
  • Trichophyton kuryangei
  • trichophyton megnini
  • Trichophyton pedis
  • rough-necked trichophyton
  • Trichophyton rodhaini
  • Trichophyton rubrum var. nigricans

Note(s)
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The clinical appearance of strains 1 and 2 shows clear differences. Trichophyton violaceum/strain 1 causes tinea capitis (endothrix infection) especially in Africa. Trichophyton rubrum/strain 2 is the most common cause of Tinea pedis, Tinea corporis and Tinea unguium worldwide. It is obligatly anthrophilic and is almost exclusively transmitted from person to person. Infections of animals are only rarely described.

Literature
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  1. Grasses Y et al (2000) Molecular taxonomy of the trichophyton rubrum complex. J Clin Microbiol 38: 3329-3336.

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Please ask your physician for a reliable diagnosis. This website is only meant as a reference.

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020