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Medical Mycology Journal 2023Trichophyton tonsurans infection has been prevalent among individuals involved in contact sports in Japan since about 2000. The present review focuses on its diagnosis,... (Review)
Review
Trichophyton tonsurans infection has been prevalent among individuals involved in contact sports in Japan since about 2000. The present review focuses on its diagnosis, molecular epidemiology, drug susceptibility, and infection control. The most commonly observed lesions of T. tonsurans, an anthropogenic dermatophyte, are tinea corporis and tinea capitis. However, the presence of asymptomatic carriers must be considered for infection control. Genotypic epidemiology using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in the non-transcribed spacer (NTS) region of the ribosomal RNA gene showed a lack of diversity of genotypes, and only the NTS I genotype is detected at present. In regard to drug susceptibility, terbinafine drug resistance has not been found to be associated with the RFLP genotypes, and it is assumed that there are no terbinafine-resistant strains in Japan. T. tonsurans coexisted with other fungi and bacteria in the scalp of asymptomatic carriers without affecting species diversity. T. tonsurans is an anthropogenic dermatophyte and may be difficult for the human immune system to eliminate. During an infection outbreak, screening of infection and treatment including asymptomatic carriers are essential to eradicate the infection.
Topics: Humans; Tinea; Tinea Capitis; Genotype
PubMed: 37648498
DOI: 10.3314/mmj.23-001 -
The Journal of Dermatology Mar 2015In this review, we summarize the status of Trichophyton tonsurans infection in Japan in terms of epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and infection control. Since... (Review)
Review
In this review, we summarize the status of Trichophyton tonsurans infection in Japan in terms of epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and infection control. Since approximately 2000, outbreaks of T. tonsurans infections among combat sports club members have been reported frequently, with the infection then spreading to their friends and family members. The most common clinical features of T. tonsurans infection are tinea corporis, which is difficult to differentiate from eczema, and tinea capitis. Tinea capitis is classified as the seborrheic form, kerion celsi form or "black dot" form, although 90% or more of patients are asymptomatic carriers. The diagnosis of symptomatic T. tonsurans infection is established by potassium hydroxide examination and fungal culture. However, because there are many asymptomatic carriers of T. tonsurans infection, tests using the hairbrush culture method are necessary. An increase in asymptomatic carriers of T. tonsurans makes assessment of the current prevalence of the infection challenging and underscores the importance of educational efforts and public awareness campaigns to prevent T. tonsurans epidemics.
Topics: Humans; Japan; Prevalence; Tinea; Trichophyton
PubMed: 25736317
DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.12678 -
Medical Mycology Jan 2022Trichophyton tonsurans is a cosmopolitan dermatophyte, highly prevalent in Africa, South America, and endemic in North America, where it is mostly related to cases of...
UNLABELLED
Trichophyton tonsurans is a cosmopolitan dermatophyte, highly prevalent in Africa, South America, and endemic in North America, where it is mostly related to cases of tinea capitis. Recently, it was also reported in Chile for the first time in two outbreaks occurred in Santiago. In the present study, we sequenced the variable internal repeat (VIR) region of a Chilean isolate and compared its genotype with those of several global T. tonsurans isolates. The results showed that the Chilean isolate presented a new genotype which was strictly correlated with isolates from Europe, USA and Mexico.
LAY SUMMARY
Trichophyton tonsurans is a fungus able to cause superficial mycosis infecting skin and hair. It is an emerging pathogen worldwide and some cases were recently reported also in Chile for the first time. We investigated by molecular techniques which geographical area could be the source of infections.
Topics: Arthrodermataceae; Chile; Genotype; Humans; Tinea Capitis; Trichophyton
PubMed: 34919706
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab077 -
Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift Fur... Oct 2021Trichophyton (T.) tonsurans is considered as the main causative agent of tinea gladiatorum (ringworm) in contact and martial arts worldwide and regularly leads to...
Trichophyton (T.) tonsurans is considered as the main causative agent of tinea gladiatorum (ringworm) in contact and martial arts worldwide and regularly leads to outbreaks. In the national wrestling squad in Leipzig, dermatophytoses occurred frequently and recurrently in children and adolescents for over a 2-year period. The wrestlers came to the dermatologist's office for clinical examination and sampling. Dermal scales and hair roots as well as smears were examined mycologically with fluorescence optical preparation, fungal culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for dermatophyte DNA. Sequencing of the dermatophyte rDNA served as culture confirmation test. Environmental investigations in the wrestler training center included contact cultures and smears from surfaces, in particular from the mats. T. tonsurans was culturally and/or with PCR detectable in 21 out of 25 children and adolescents plus one trainer. T. tonsurans grew in one of ten contact cultures of mats and floors in the wrestling training center, and T. interdigitale was found in another culture. Smears from the mats resulted in a culture of T. tonsurans detection twice. The PCR was positive for T. tonsurans three times. Within 14 days, T. tonsurans developed small, flat, radiating, granular and white-colored colonies with a mahogany-brown reverse side on the fungal culture media. The sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA and the translation elongation factor 1 α (TEF 1 α) gene confirmed the species T. tonsurans in all cases. T. interdigitale that was found from a mat was also identified by sequencing. Eight T. tonsurans strains were subjected to in vitro susceptibility testing to terbinafine. All isolates were sensitive to terbinafine in vitro with minimal inhibitory concentrations of ≤ 0.1 µg/ml.
Topics: Adolescent; Arthrodermataceae; Child; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Terbinafine; Trichophyton; Wrestling
PubMed: 33835190
DOI: 10.1007/s00105-021-04803-7 -
Mycoses May 2023Tinea capitis and tinea corporis are highly prevalent fungal skin infections, which globally are mainly caused by Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum,...
BACKGROUND
Tinea capitis and tinea corporis are highly prevalent fungal skin infections, which globally are mainly caused by Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum, respectively. While in the United States and Great Britain Trichophyton tonsurans is widely prevalent as a causative pathogen, it so far only plays a minor role in Germany.
OBJECTIVES
Since the frequency of pathogenic species varies regionally and temporally, this study assesses the proportion of Trichophyton tonsurans infections in the dermatology department of a large university hospital in Germany from 2019 to 2022 and thoroughly characterises the affected patient population.
PATIENTS/METHODS
This retrospective study at the Technical University of Munich analyses mycological culture results regarding the identified dermatophyte and infection site. Detailed patient and disease-related information on Trichophyton tonsurans positive patients was obtained.
RESULTS
In 2022, 23 patients of 111 dermatophyte culture-positive patients tested positive for Trichophyton tonsurans. This accounted for 20.7% and represented a tenfold increase from 2.1% in 2019. Contact sports were only practiced by 21.7% of patients, and no common hotspot or other linkage could be identified between the cases. Additionally, 47.8% of the patients received a systemic treatment, with 30.4% visiting the clinic more than three times. In 2022, 21.7% were diagnosed with a simultaneous infection of the capillitium and body, whereas this was only observed in 7.1% of cases in 2019 to 2021.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests an increase of Trichophyton tonsurans infections via several routes of transmission.
Topics: Humans; Arthrodermataceae; Trichophyton; Retrospective Studies; Incidence; Tinea Capitis
PubMed: 36583603
DOI: 10.1111/myc.13563 -
International Journal of Infectious... Jan 2021
PubMed: 33197583
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.11.144 -
Neonatal Network : NN 2009Ringworm is very rarely found in the neonate, especially infants who have been confined from birth to an intensive care unit. We report an infection with the... (Review)
Review
Ringworm is very rarely found in the neonate, especially infants who have been confined from birth to an intensive care unit. We report an infection with the dermatophyte Trichophyton tonsurans, the most common cause of tinea capitis in children but not yet described in a premature baby who has never left the nursery. Our case illustrates the need to consider this diagnosis among the causes of dermatitis in the newborn, especially in at-risk populations such as indigenous Australians. Though our infant's presentation was the classic "ring" shape, a literature review revealed varied presentations. In contrast to the usual need for long-term antifungal medication, our case responded rapidly to a topical azole preparation. Although we did not screen visiting family members, screening would have been appropriate, and those found positive might have benefited from at least antifungal shampoo.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Antifungal Agents; Cheek; Global Health; Humans; Incidence; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Male; Miconazole; Tinea Capitis; Treatment Outcome; Trichophyton
PubMed: 19720594
DOI: 10.1891/0730-0832.28.5.305 -
Current Medical Mycology 2020is a widely distributed anthropophilic dermatophyte causing different diseases of skin. In the literature limited data are available about the morphogenesis of...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
is a widely distributed anthropophilic dermatophyte causing different diseases of skin. In the literature limited data are available about the morphogenesis of vegetative mycelium of and related anthropophilic dermatophytes. The aim of present study was to describe ultrastructural patterns of development, cellular organellography and septal pore apparatus structure of growing vegetative mycelium of .
MATERIALS AND METHODS
strain RCPFF 214/898 was grown on solid Czapek's Agar (CzA) at 28ºС. For investigation of colonies morphology we used methods of light-, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM).
RESULTS
Differences in morphogenesis of aerial and substrate hyphae were revealed. Mitochondrial reticulum and fibrosinous bodies were shown in for the first time. The septal pore apparatus in hyphal cells of was comprised Woronin bodies and septal pore plugs. Woronin bodies (0.18 µm), located with 1‒4 near the pore, were spherical, membrane-bound, and had a homogeneous, electron-dense content. The cells of aerial and submerged hyphal cells of contain two nuclei.
CONCLUSION
Mature cells of substrate hyphae appeared more active than comparable cells in the aerial mycelium. During the maturation process, the differences in number and morphology of mitochondria, number of vacuoles, and in the synthesis of different types of storage substances were revealed. Presence of "mitochondrial reticulum" and variable types of storage substances in submerged hyphal cells suggested higher levels of metabolic activity compared to aerial mycelium.
PubMed: 32420507
DOI: 10.18502/cmm.6.1.2508 -
The Journal of Dermatology Jul 2022Trichophyton tonsurans is the most prevalent fungus which causes dermatophytosis among contact sports players in Japan. We previously surveyed the epidemic of...
Trichophyton tonsurans is the most prevalent fungus which causes dermatophytosis among contact sports players in Japan. We previously surveyed the epidemic of T. tonsurans in Japan from early 2000, and determined the genotypes of isolates by analysis of restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphisms in the non-transcription spacer (NTS) region of ribosomal RNA gene, which enabled discrimination of eight genotypes, namely NTS I to NTS VIII. In the present study, we performed genotyping of T. tonsurans isolated between 2016 and 2020, and investigated the trend of the epidemic and resistance of the pathogen to antibiotic terbinafine (TBF). Regardless of which contact sport they played, the genotype of all 123 strains of T. tonsurans isolated from athletes was NTS I. Genotypes NTS II and III, which were isolated in considerable numbers mainly from wrestlers between 2000 and 2015, were conspicuously absent. TBF susceptibility was screened in 237 T. tonsurans strains isolated between 2000 and 2020 with 28 of these further assessed for minimum inhibitory concentration of TBF and squalene epoxidase gene sequences. None of the strains showed TBF resistance. TBF may still be effective to control the epidemic of T. tonsurans.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Arthrodermataceae; Genotype; Humans; Japan; Terbinafine; Trichophyton
PubMed: 35411639
DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.16387 -
Medical Mycology Journal 2019We present a 17-year-old Japanese male high school student, who had applied steroid ointment for atopic dermatitis, with fingernail onychomycosis due to Trichophyton... (Review)
Review
We present a 17-year-old Japanese male high school student, who had applied steroid ointment for atopic dermatitis, with fingernail onychomycosis due to Trichophyton tonsurans. He was found positive for T. tonsurans infection based on hairbrush culture performed due to an epidemic of T. tonsurans infection in his judo club. The hairbrush culture method is very important in screening for this infection, and dermatologists should examine the entire body of athletes who are found positive using this method. For the diagnosis of T. tonsurans infection, other than the skin and hair, the nails should also be checked by dermoscopy because the fingernail may be the origin of this fungus.
Topics: Adolescent; Athletes; Dermoscopy; Humans; Japan; Male; Martial Arts; Microbiological Techniques; Nails; Onychomycosis; Tinea; Trichophyton; Youth Sports
PubMed: 30814464
DOI: 10.3314/mmj.18-00012