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Updated: May 7, 2025
Isolation, Characterization, and Total DNA Extraction to Identify Endophytic Fungi in Mycoheterotrophic Plants
Published on: May 5, 2023
Northwest Iranian dermatophyte isolates: anthropophilic and geophilic
Kambiz Diba1, Kosar Jafari2, Kasra Alizadeh2
1Department of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Background And Purposes:
The fungi known as dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic agents responsible for superficial infections in humans and animals. Recognition of the species distribution and epidemiology of dermatophytosis may be helpful in the prevention and improve prophylactic measures. The present molecular epidemiology study sought to investigate the incidence of etiological agents causing dermatophytosis.
Materials And Methods:
The morphologic methods and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism using MvaI restriction enzyme were performed to identify dermatophytes isolated from the soil, compost, and clinical samples.
Results:
Based on findings, 39 (8.1%) clinical specimens and 10 (8.2%) environmental samples were morphologically and molecularly identified as dermatophytes. In the clinical samples, Trichophyton mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale species complex was isolated with the highest incidence rate. The dermatophytes comprise seven species of the four genera, viz., T. interdigitale (currently T. mentagrophytes, n=15, 40.5%), Microsporum canis (n=10, 27%), T. verrucosum (n=5, 13.5%), T. rubrum (n=4, 10.8%), Myriodontium keratinophilum (n=2, 5.4%), and T. benhamiae (n=1, 2.7%). The geophilic identified species included Nannizzia gypsea (n=5), Arthroderma multifidum (n=2), Afanoascus flavisence (n=2), and Nannizzia fulva (n=1).
Conclusion:
The current study provides a diverse overview of dermatophytes in the northwest of Iran to improve their surveillance. The present investigation of clinical specimens revealed that Myriodontium keratinophilum, as a species rarely detected with keratolytic properties, emerged as a causative agent of dermatophytosis.
Insights
This study identified dermatophytes in clinical and environmental samples in northwest Iran, with Trichophyton mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale being the most common in humans. Myriodontium keratinophilum was also identified as a cause of infection.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Dermatophytes cause superficial infections in humans and animals.
- Understanding species distribution and epidemiology aids in prevention.
- Molecular epidemiology studies are crucial for identifying etiological agents of dermatophytosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of etiological agents causing dermatophytosis.
- To determine the molecular epidemiology of dermatophytes in northwest Iran.
- To improve surveillance and prophylactic measures against dermatophytosis.
Main Methods:
- Morphological identification of dermatophytes.
- Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using MvaI enzyme.
- Isolation and identification from clinical, soil, and compost samples.
Main Results:
- 39 clinical (8.1%) and 10 environmental (8.2%) samples were identified as dermatophytes.
- Trichophyton mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale species complex was the most frequent isolate from clinical samples.
- Seven dermatophyte species were identified, including Myriodontium keratinophilum, a rarely detected species.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a diverse overview of dermatophytes in northwest Iran, enhancing surveillance efforts.
- Myriodontium keratinophilum was identified as a causative agent of dermatophytosis in clinical specimens.
- The findings contribute to a better understanding of dermatophytosis epidemiology and prevention.
