Trichophyton-rubrum complex

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

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

ManifestationThis section has been translated automatically.

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)This section has been translated automatically.

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.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

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

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer