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Northwest Iranian dermatophyte isolates: anthropophilic and geophilic

Summary

Researchers in northwestern Iran studied fungal infections of skin, hair, and nails by identifying different types of dermatophytes from patient samples and soil. They found that a fungus called Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the most common cause, but also discovered a rare fungus called Myriodontium keratinophilum causing nail infections. Using modern DNA testing methods, they identified seven different dermatophyte species and several other soil fungi, providing important information about fungal infections in this region.

Background

Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi responsible for superficial infections in humans and animals. Understanding the species distribution and epidemiology of dermatophytosis is important for prevention and improving prophylactic measures. The study aimed to investigate the incidence and diversity of etiological agents causing dermatophytosis in northwestern Iran.

Objective

To investigate the molecular epidemiology and incidence of dermatophyte species causing dermatophytosis in soil, compost, and clinical samples from West Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran.

Results

From 483 clinical specimens, 39 (8.1%) fungal strains were isolated as dermatophytes including T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale (40.5%), Microsporum canis (27%), T. verrucosum (13.5%), T. rubrum (10.8%), Myriodontium keratinophilum (5.4%), and T. benhamiae (2.7%). Environmental samples yielded geophilic species including Nannizzia gypsea, Arthroderma multifidum, Afanoascus flavisence, and Nannizzia fulva. Nail infections were the most common clinical presentation (53.3%).

Conclusion

The study provides a comprehensive overview of dermatophyte diversity in northwestern Iran. Notably, Myriodontium keratinophilum emerged as a rarely detected causative agent of onychomycosis. DNA-based identification is recommended for definitive identification of dermatophyte species.
  • Published in:Current Medical Mycology,
  • Study Type:Molecular Epidemiology Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39744343, DOI: 10.22034/CMM.2024.345232.1535
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