Pythium oligandrum (Oomycota) is known for its strong mycoparasitism against more than 50 fungal and oomycete species. However, the ability of this oomycete to suppress and kill the causal agents of dermatophytoses is yet to be studied. We provide a complex study of the interactions between P. oligandrum and dermatophytes representing all species dominating in the developed countries. We assessed its biocidal potential by performing growth tests, on both solid and liquid cultivation media and by conducting a pilot clinical study. In addition, we studied the molecular background of mycoparasitism using expression profiles of genes responsible for the attack on the side of P. oligandrum and the stress response on the side of Microsporum canis. We showed that dermatophytes are efficiently suppressed or killed by P. oligandrum in the artificial conditions of cultivations media between 48 and 72 h after first contact. Significant intra- and interspecies variability was noted. Of the 69 patients included in the acute regimen study, symptoms were completely eliminated in 79% of the patients suffering from foot odour, hyperhidrosis disappeared in 67% of cases, clinical signs of dermatomycoses could no longer be observed in 83% of patients, and 15% of persons were relieved of symptoms of onychomycosis. Our investigations provide clear evidence that the oomycete is able to recognize and kill dermatophytes using recognition mechanisms that resemble those described in oomycetes attacking fungi infecting plants, albeit with some notable differences.

Bio Agens Research and Development BARD Rýznerova 150 25262 Únětice Czech Republic

Bio Agens Research and Development BARD Rýznerova 150 25262 Únětice Czech Republic Biopreparáty spol s r o Rýznerova 150 25262 Únětice Czech Republic

Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism Institute of Microbiology Czech Academy of Sciences Vídeňská 1083 14220 Praha 4 Czech Republic

Laboratory of Medical Mycology Department of Microbiology Pardubice Regional Hospital 56024 Pardubice Czech Republic

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