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Arthroconidial formation in Trichophyton raubitschekii
A K Gupta1, I Ahmad, M Porretta
1Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Center (Sunnybrook site), and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada N6K 1L6. agupta@execulink.com
Mycoses
|September 3, 2003
Summary
Trichophyton raubitschekii, a variant of Trichophyton rubrum, readily produces arthroconidia, the infectious fungal cells responsible for skin and nail infections. This finding offers a practical method for studying these dermatophyte infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Dermatophytosis Pathogenesis
- Fungal Morphology
Background:
- Arthroconidia from dermatophytic fungi cause human and animal skin/nail infections.
- Trichophyton rubrum is the leading cause of tinea pedis, but typically forms few conidia.
- Previous attempts to induce arthroconidia in T. rubrum have been largely unsuccessful.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the arthroconidiation potential of Trichophyton raubitschekii, a recognized variant of T. rubrum.
- To describe in vitro cultivation parameters for arthroconidia production.
- To assess the viability and germination of T. raubitschekii-derived arthroconidia.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and cultivation of two T. raubitschekii strains from clinical samples.
- Bimonthly subculturing to assess sustained arthroconidiation.
- Determination of optimal in vitro growth conditions for arthroconidia.
- Germination assays of arthroconidia in phosphate-buffered saline.
Main Results:
- Two T. raubitschekii isolates predominantly produced arthroconidia.
- Sustained arthroconidiation was maintained through multiple subcultures.
- Optimal in vitro cultivation parameters for arthroconidia were established.
- Greater than 95% germination of arthroconidia occurred within 21 hours.
Conclusions:
- Trichophyton raubitschekii consistently produces arthroconidia, unlike typical T. rubrum.
- This organism provides a viable model for studying dermatophyte arthroconidia.
- The findings facilitate characterization of infective fungal cells in T. rubrum infections.