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Molecular strain typing of Trichophyton mentagrophytes (T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale) using non-transcribed
Vijayakumar Ramaraj1, Rajyoganandh S Vijayaraman1, Veena Hemanth1
1Department of Microbiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India.
Background & Objectives:
: Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that infect keratinized tissues of human and animal origin. Trichophyton mentagrophytes is considered to be a species complex composed of several strains, which include both anthropophiles and zoophiles. Accurate discrimination is critical for comprehensive understanding of the clinical and epidemiological implications of the genetic heterogeneity of this complex. Molecular strain typing renders an effective way to discriminate each strain. The objective of the study was to characterize T. mentagrophytes clinical isolates to sub-species level using molecular techniques and non-transcribed spacer (NTS) region as marker.
Methods:
Sixty four T. mentagrophytes clinical isolates were identified by phenotypic methods. These were subjected to polymerase chain reaction targeting three sub-repeat elements (SREs), TmiS0, TmiS1 and TmiS2 of the NTS region. Sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of different types was also done.
Results:
Strain-specific polymorphism was observed in all three loci. Totally, 13 different PCR types were obtained on combining all the three SREs loci. No variation was observed in the ITS region.
Interpretation & Conclusions:
The study described the usefulness of molecular strain typing technique for the discrimination of the T. mentagrophytes isolates. This will help for the future explorations into the epidemiology of T. mentagrophytes and its complex.
Insights
Molecular strain typing effectively discriminated Trichophyton mentagrophytes clinical isolates. This technique using non-transcribed spacer (NTS) regions is crucial for understanding the epidemiology of this fungal complex.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Dermatophytes are fungi that infect keratinized tissues.
- Trichophyton mentagrophytes is a species complex with diverse strains, impacting human and animal health.
- Accurate strain discrimination is vital for understanding clinical and epidemiological implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Trichophyton mentagrophytes clinical isolates at the sub-species level.
- To evaluate molecular strain typing using the non-transcribed spacer (NTS) region as a marker.
- To differentiate between anthropophilic and zoophilic strains.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic identification of 64 T. mentagrophytes clinical isolates.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting three sub-repeat elements (SREs) in the NTS region (TmiS0, TmiS1, TmiS2).
- Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region.
Main Results:
- Strain-specific polymorphism was detected across all three NTS loci.
- A total of 13 distinct PCR types were identified by combining the SREs.
- No genetic variation was observed in the ITS region among the isolates.
Conclusions:
- Molecular strain typing using NTS regions is a valuable method for discriminating T. mentagrophytes isolates.
- This technique provides a foundation for future epidemiological studies of the T. mentagrophytes complex.
- The findings enhance our understanding of the genetic heterogeneity within T. mentagrophytes.
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