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Microsporum gypseum complex in man and animals

C Demange1, N Contet-Audonneau, M Kombila

  • 1Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculté de Médecine, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.

Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology : Bi-Monthly Publication of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology
|January 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

This study identifies Nannizzia species in the Microsporum gypseum complex, with N. incurvata common in human infections and N. gypsea in animals. Takashio medium effectively differentiates these fungal species.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Fungal Taxonomy

Background:

  • The Microsporum gypseum complex includes several species with overlapping characteristics.
  • Current methods for differentiating anamorphs (M. gypseum, M. fulvum, M. boullardii) are often unreliable.
  • Sabouraud medium, commonly used in medical mycology, offers limited distinction between these species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the species composition of the Microsporum gypseum complex from human and animal isolates.
  • To evaluate Takashio medium as a reliable method for differentiating species within this complex.
  • To compare the pathological prevalence of different Nannizzia species.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of 28 Microsporum gypseum complex strains from human and animal sources.
  • Cultivation on Takashio medium to assess colonial and microscopic features.
  • Identification of the perfect (sexual) form for species determination.
  • Comparison with conventional Sabouraud medium.

Main Results:

  • The perfect form of Nannizzia was identified in 25 out of 28 isolates.
  • Nannizzia incurvata was the predominant species in human isolates, while Nannizzia gypsea was more common in animal isolates.
  • Takashio medium allowed for easy differentiation of species based on morphological characteristics, surpassing Sabouraud medium.
  • Nannizzia fulva was rarely implicated pathologically; Nannizzia corniculata was not isolated.

Conclusions:

  • Takashio medium provides a practical and effective alternative for differentiating Microsporum gypseum complex species, often avoiding the need for lengthy sexual reproduction analysis.
  • Understanding the species distribution is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of dermatophytosis.
  • Further research may be needed to explain the absence of Nannizzia corniculata, particularly from African isolates.

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