Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure
Published on: May 27, 2022
Identification of rare macroconidia-producing dermatophytic fungi by real-time PCR
1Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey.
Abstract:
To understand the pathogenicity and clinical significance of dermatophytes (also known as ringworms), the correct identification of these molds is essential. However, in routine practice they are notoriously difficult to classify and identify. The morphology of macroconidia, which are abundantly produced under suitable in vitro conditions, have provided useful criteria for the identification of many of the dermatophytes. However, several of them, including Microsporum audouinii, M. ferrugineum, Trichophyton concentricum, T. schoenleinii, T. verrucosum, and T. violaceum (including T. soudanense and T. yaoundei) rarely produce macroconidia and cannot be easily identified. The objective of this study was to design, optimize, and evaluate real-time PCR as a tool for identifying dermatophytic fungi in a laboratory setting. The performance of the assay was evaluated using 64 dermatophyte isolates, i.e., 35 rare macroconidia-producing reference strains, including the six species mentioned above, and 29 clinical isolates from our laboratory, including M. canis (4), T. mentagrophytes (2), T. rubrum (20), T. rubrum with the 'raubitschekii' morphotype (2), and T. tonsurans (1). Real-time PCR correctly identified 10 taxonomically distinct dermatophytes, particularly rare macroconidia-producing species, with excellent sensitivity (100%). The advantages of the assay include the provision of accurate and reliable diagnoses of dermatophytic fungi.
Insights
Accurate identification of dermatophytes (ringworm fungi) is crucial but challenging. This study developed a real-time PCR assay that precisely identifies rare macroconidia-producing dermatophyte species, improving fungal diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Accurate identification of dermatophytes, or ringworm fungi, is essential for understanding their pathogenicity and clinical significance.
- Traditional identification methods relying on macroconidia morphology are insufficient for several dermatophyte species that rarely produce these structures.
- This limitation hinders accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of dermatophytosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, optimize, and evaluate a real-time PCR assay for the identification of dermatophytic fungi.
- To address the diagnostic challenges posed by rare macroconidia-producing dermatophyte species.
- To provide a reliable molecular tool for laboratory identification of dermatophytes.
Main Methods:
- Development and optimization of a real-time PCR assay.
- Evaluation of the assay's performance using 64 dermatophyte isolates, including 35 rare macroconidia-producing reference strains and 29 clinical isolates.
- Testing included species such as Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton concentricum, T. schoenleinii, T. verrucosum, and T. violaceum.
Main Results:
- The real-time PCR assay correctly identified 10 taxonomically distinct dermatophytes.
- The assay demonstrated excellent sensitivity (100%), particularly for rare macroconidia-producing species.
- Accurate and reliable diagnoses were achieved for all tested dermatophyte isolates.
Conclusions:
- Real-time PCR is a highly effective tool for the accurate identification of dermatophytic fungi in a laboratory setting.
- This molecular method overcomes the limitations of traditional morphology-based identification, especially for challenging species.
- The developed assay offers a significant advancement in diagnosing dermatophytosis, improving clinical management.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Rapid Identification of Pathogens
02:57Real Time RT-PCR
The real-time quantification of the number of amplified products is...