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Initiation of dermatophyte pleomorphic strain sporulation by increased aeration

W J Page, J J Stock

    Applied Microbiology
    |October 1, 1972
    PubMed

    Insights

    Controlled aeration and dehydration induced sporulation in a normally non-sporulating Microsporum gypseum strain. This phenotypic change, observed in other dermatophytes too, suggests a sensitivity alteration rather than a loss of sporulation ability.

    Area of Science:

    • Medical Mycology
    • Fungal Genetics
    • Dermatophyte Research

    Background:

    • Pleomorphic strains of Microsporum gypseum typically do not sporulate.
    • Understanding the factors influencing fungal sporulation is crucial for controlling infections and for basic research.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the induction of sporulation in an asporogenous, pleomorphic strain of Microsporum gypseum.
    • To determine the mechanism by which aeration influences sporulation in dermatophytes.

    Main Methods:

    • Controlled aeration and dehydration of a pleomorphic Microsporum gypseum strain.
    • Comparison of growth parameters and intracellular water loss with wild-type strains.
    • Induction of sporulation in other asporogenous pleomorphic dermatophyte strains.

    Main Results:

    • Aeration and dehydration successfully induced macroconidia formation in the pleomorphic strain.
    • Induced sporulation exhibited wild-type morphology but reverted to pleomorphic colonies upon germination, indicating a phenotypic change.
    • Similar induction was observed in Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton violaceum.

    Conclusions:

    • The pleomorphic mutation likely affects aerial hyphae sensitivity to sporulation inducers, not the inherent ability to sporulate.
    • Aeration is a key factor in overcoming this sensitivity, enabling phenotypic sporulation.
    • This finding has implications for understanding dermatophyte variability and potential control strategies.

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