Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Department of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
2
Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
10.22034/-.2024.345232.1535
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Fungi known as dermatophytes a group of keratinophilic agents that are responsible for superficial infections in humans and animals. Recognizing 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 (PCR-RFLP) using MvaI restriction enzyme were performed to identify dermatophytes isolated from the soil, compost, and clinical samples.
Results: 39 (8.1%) of clinical specimens and 10 (8.2%) of 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. The dermatophytes comprising 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 northwest Iran to improve their surveillance. Our investigation of clinical specimens revealed that Myriodontium keratinophilum as a species rarely detected with keratolytic properties emerged as a causative agent of dermatophytosis.
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