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Updated: May 14, 2026
Cost-effective Method for Microbial Source Tracking Using Specific Human and Animal Viruses
Published on: December 3, 2011
Development and validation of a microsatellite marker-based method for tracing infections by Microsporum canis
Mario Pasquetti1, Andrea Peano, Dominga Soglia
1Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Epidemiologia ed Ecologia, Università di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy.
Background:
Microsporum canis is a dermatophyte fungus harbored by cats and dogs and is frequently transmitted to humans. Molecular tools able to discriminate fungal isolates at the strain level would prove extremely useful for confirming the route of infection, thus contributing to optimization of prophylaxis and hygienic regimens.
Objective:
To develop and validate a microsatellite marker-based method for use in tracking infections by M. canis.
Methods:
Primers were designed against sequences flanking the microsatellites individuated by a BLAST search using the nucleotide sequence information assembled by the M. canis CBS 113480 genome project. The PCR conditions were standardized and fragment analysis was performed using a genetic analyzer. The resolving power of the markers was investigated on 26 unrelated M. canis strains while the reproducibility of the technique and the stability of the markers were evaluated on a single strain subcultured in time as well as on 36 strains isolated from nine outbreak episodes.
Results:
Eight markers were recognized as being the most polymorphic within the set of M. canis strains isolated from unrelated distant hosts, with a total of 22 multilocus genotypes, which corresponded to a genotypic diversity of 97%. Repeated tests on subcultures of M. canis reference strain CBS 113480 always yielded the same results. Identical multilocus genotypes were obtained for all the isolates from each outbreak episode.
Conclusion:
The high resolving power and reproducibility of the markers that were identified support the potential of these tools to detect sources and routes of infection by M. canis.
Insights
New microsatellite markers effectively track Microsporum canis infections in pets and humans. This molecular tool helps identify infection sources and improve disease control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- *Microsporum canis* is a common dermatophyte fungus found in cats and dogs, posing a zoonotic risk to humans.
- Accurate strain-level discrimination is crucial for tracing infection origins and enhancing public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop and validate a microsatellite marker-based method for tracking *M. canis* infections.
- Establish a reliable tool for epidemiological investigations of dermatophytosis.
Main Methods:
- Designed primers targeting microsatellite regions within the *M. canis* genome.
- Standardized PCR conditions and utilized fragment analysis with a genetic analyzer.
- Assessed marker polymorphism, reproducibility, and stability across diverse strains and outbreak isolates.
Main Results:
- Identified eight highly polymorphic microsatellite markers, revealing 22 distinct multilocus genotypes with 97% genotypic diversity.
- Demonstrated excellent reproducibility and stability of the markers through repeated testing.
- Confirmed identical genotypes for isolates from the same outbreak, indicating successful strain tracking.
Conclusions:
- The developed microsatellite markers possess high discriminatory power and reproducibility.
- These molecular tools are effective for identifying the sources and transmission routes of *M. canis* infections.
- The findings support the application of these markers in optimizing prophylaxis and hygiene measures against dermatophytosis.
