Trichophyton onychocola is a recently described geophilic dermatophyte that has been isolated from a toenail of Czech patient with a history of onychomycosis due to T. rubrum and clinical suspicion of relapse. In this study, we report a similar case from Denmark in an otherwise healthy 56-year-old man. The patient had a history of great toenail infection caused by T. rubrum in 2004 and presented with suspected relapse in 2011 and 2013. Trichophyton onychocola was the only microbial agent isolated at the second visit in 2013 and the identification was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Direct microscopic nail examination was positive for hyphae, however the etiological significance of T. onychocola was not supported by repeated isolation of the fungus. This new species may be an overlooked geophilic species due to the resemblance to some common species, for example, zoophilic T. interdigitale or some species of geophilic dermatophytes. We included differential diagnosis with phenotypically similar species; however, it is recommended that molecular methods are used for correct identification. The MAT locus of Danish strain was of opposite mating type than in the previously isolated Czech strain and the two isolates were successfully mated. The mating experiments with related heterothallic species T. thuringiense and Arthroderma melis were negative. The sexual state showed all typical signs of arthroderma-morph and is described by using optical as well as scanning electron microscopy. The sexual state was induced on a set of agar media, however low cultivation temperature and the presence of keratin source were crucial for the success rather than formulation of medium.

• Klíčová slova
• Arthroderma, MAT locus, Onygenales, geophilic dermatophytes, keratinophilic fungi, tinea unguium,
• MeSH
• buněčné dělení * MeSH
• crossing over (genetika) * MeSH
• DNA fungální chemie   genetika   MeSH
• fungální geny pro párovací typ MeSH
• kultivační média chemie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikroskopie MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• nehty mikrobiologie   patologie   MeSH
• onychomykóza diagnóza   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• Trichophyton genetika   izolace a purifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Dánsko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA fungální MeSH
• kultivační média MeSH

The problems associated with infections by dermatophytes and related fungi are discussed. Published and unpublished surveys of 1 481 wild animals of the orders Carnivora, Ungulata, Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Insectivora and Chiroptera and of 29 birds proved to be positive for fungi which were classified as potentially pathogenic zoophilic, potentially pathogenic geophilic and normally non-pathogenic geophilic. Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes was isolated from 11% of rodents; the fungus was also isolated from Insectivora, the hare and the ibex. T. mentagrophytes var. erinacei was reported in the hedgehog. Microsporum canis was reported in rodents from anthropogenic areas. M. gypseum was reported in Ungulata, Lagomorpha and Rodentia; other geophilic fungi were found in all the orders investigated, with the exception of Chiroptera which proved to be constantly negative. The relationship between the presence of animals and the "animalization" of the environment, and the consequent presence of geophilic fungi is discussed. It is concluded that wild animals may play a role as carriers of dermatophytes and related fungi, may create environmental conditions favourable to their growth and may help to monitor the presence of a fungus in a given area.

• MeSH
• Arthrodermataceae izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• dermatomykózy přenos   MeSH
• divoká zvířata mikrobiologie   MeSH
• hlodavci mikrobiologie   MeSH
• infekce přenášené vektorem * MeSH
• půdní mikrobiologie MeSH
• skupiny zvířecí populace mikrobiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Apparently healthy hair of insectivores and rodents originating from two regions situated at different altitudes in Austria was examined on the presence of dermatophytes. Dermatophytes Microsporum persicolor, Trichophyton georgiae, T. mentagrophytes var. erinacei, T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes and T. terrestre were recovered from the hair of 27 animals (32.9%), belonging to 10 species. The results revealed evident specificity of dermatophytes to host mammals irrespective of the effect of different altitude of localities. The existence of dermatophytes in the healthy hair of mammals is due either to mere contamination from environment (findings of geophilic species) or to inapparent infection (findings of zoophilic species).

• MeSH
• Arthrodermataceae izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Arvicolinae parazitologie   MeSH
• hlodavci parazitologie   MeSH
• hmyzožravci parazitologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus parazitologie   MeSH
• Microsporum izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Trichophyton izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• vlasy, chlupy parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Rakousko MeSH

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) was tested as an in vitro deactivation method on four human pathogenic dermatophytes belonging to all ecological groups including anthropophilic Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale, zoophilic Arthroderma benhamiae, and geophilic Microsporum gypseum. The identification of all strains was confirmed by sequencing of ITS rDNA region (internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA). Dermatophyte spores were suspended in water or inoculated on agar plates and exposed to NTP generated by a positive or negative corona discharge, or cometary discharge. After 15 min of exposure to NTP a significant decrease in the number of surviving spores in water suspensions was observed in all species. Complete spore inactivation and thus decontamination was observed in anthropophilic species after 25 min of exposure. Similarly, a significant decrease in the number of surviving spores was observed after 10-15 min of exposure to NTP on the surface of agar plates with full inhibition after 25 min in all tested species except of M. gypseum. Although the sensitivity of dermatophytes to the action of NTP appears to be lower than that of bacteria and yeast, our results suggest that NTP has the potential to be used as an alternative treatment strategy for dermatophytosis and could be useful for surface decontamination in clinical practice.

• Klíčová slova
• Cometary discharge;, Corona discharge;, Decontamination of surfaces;, Low-temperature plasma;, Microsporum;, Trichophyton,
• MeSH
• Arthrodermataceae účinky léků   genetika   růst a vývoj   účinky záření   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plazmové plyny toxicita   MeSH
• tinea mikrobiologie   MeSH
• ultrafialové záření MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• plazmové plyny MeSH

UNLABELLED: Arthroderma is the most diverse genus among dermatophytes encompassing species occurring in soil, caves, animal burrows, clinical material and other environments. In this study, we collected ex-type, reference and authentic strains of all currently accepted Arthroderma species and generated sequences of three highly variable loci (ITS rDNA, β-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-α). The number of accepted species was expanded to 27. One novel species, A. melbournense (ex-type strain CCF 6162T = CBS 145858T), is described. This species was isolated from toenail dust collected by a podiatrist in Melbourne, during an epidemiological study of four geographical regions of Eastern Australia. Trichophyton terrestre, Chrysosporium magnisporum, and Chrysosporium oceanitis are transferred to Arthroderma. Typification is provided for T. terrestre that is not conspecific with any of the supposed biological species from the former T. terrestre complex, that is, A. insingulare, A. lenticulare and A. quadrifidum. A multi-gene phylogeny and reference sequences provided in this study should serve as a basis for future phylogenetic studies and facilitate species identification in practice. LAY ABSTRACT: The genus Arthroderma encompasses geophilic dermatophyte species that infrequently cause human and animal superficial infections. Reference sequences from three genetic loci were generated for all currently accepted Arthroderma species and phylogeny was constructed. Several taxonomic novelties are introduced. The newly provided data will facilitate species identification and future taxonomic studies.

• Klíčová slova
• Arthroderma, Trichophyton terrestre, geophilic dermatophytes, keratinophilic fungi, multigene phylogeny,
• MeSH
• Arthrodermataceae klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• DNA fungální genetika   MeSH
• elongační faktor 1 genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• geny hub genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mezerníky ribozomální DNA genetika   MeSH
• Microsporum klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• Trichophyton klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• tubulin genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Austrálie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA fungální MeSH
• elongační faktor 1 MeSH
• mezerníky ribozomální DNA MeSH
• tubulin MeSH

Arthroderma is the most diverse genus of dermatophytes, and its natural reservoir is considered to be soil enriched by keratin sources. During a study on the diversity of dermatophytes in wild small rodents in the Czech Republic, we isolated several strains of Arthroderma. To explore the diversity and ecological significance of these isolates from rodents (n = 29), we characterised the strains genetically (i.e., sequenced ITS, tubb and tef1α), morphologically, physiologically, and by conducting mating experiments. We then compared the rodent-derived strains to existing ITS sequence data from GenBank and the GlobalFungi Database to further investigate biogeography and the association of Arthroderma species with different types of environments. In total, eight Arthroderma species were isolated from rodents, including four previously described species (A. crocatum, A. cuniculi, A. curreyi, A. quadrifidum) and four new species proposed herein, i.e., A. rodenticum, A. simile, A. zoogenum and A. psychrophilum. The geographical distribution of these newly described species was not restricted to the Czech Republic nor rodents. Additional isolates were obtained from bats and other mammals, reptiles, and soil from Europe, North America, and Asia. Data mining showed that the genus has a diverse ecology, with some lineages occurring relatively frequently in soil, whereas others appeared to be more closely associated with live animals, as we observed in A. rodenticum. Low numbers of sequence reads ascribed to Arthroderma in soil show that the genus is rare in this environment, which supports the hypothesis that Arthroderma spp. are not soil generalists but rather strongly associated with animals and keratin debris. This is the first study to utilise existing metabarcoding data to assess biogeographical, ecological, and diversity patterns in dermatophytes. Citation: Moulíková Š, Kolařík M, Lorch JM, et al. 2022. Wild rodents harbour high diversity of Arthroderma. Persoonia 50: 27- 47. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2023.50.02.

• Klíčová slova
• Arthroderma, GlobalFungi, geophilic dermatophytes, mating type genes, new taxa, polyphasic taxonomy, wild rodents,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Toenail onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes is a significant medical and financial worldwide burden. Relatively scant research has been undertaken as to the predominant species and strains causing this condition in Australia, which is a unique isolated continent with diverse geographical, climatic and population regions. Four regions were selected in Eastern Australia: Far North Queensland, Rural Victoria, Melbourne Metropolitan and Tasmania. From each of these areas, communal nail dust bags from podiatric physicians' work were collected and analysed. A total of 32 dust bags were collected: 10 from Far North Queensland, 8 from Melbourne Metropolitan, 8 from Rural Victoria and 6 from Tasmania. Dermatophyte test medium was used to isolate dermatophytes from the dust, and the colonies were subcultured to Potato Dextrose Agar. Of the bags collected, in total 69% were positive for dermatophytes: 40% from Far North Queensland, 75% from Melbourne Metropolitan, 88% from Rural Victoria and 83% from Tasmania. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA was used to identify and compare isolates. A total of 148 dermatophyte strains were identified. The predominant species isolated was Trichophyton interdigitale (125 isolates), which was found in all four regions. This species was further subdivided into four ITS genotypes: the first two were present in all regions, but the third was found only in the Melbourne Metropolitan area and the fourth only in Tasmania. Only one strain of Trichophyton rubrum was found and only in Rural Victoria. Eighteen isolates of Arthroderma quadrifidum were cultured from Rural Victoria and Tasmania and were further classified into three ITS genotypes. Some isolates rarely reported in clinical material were identified as Paraphyton cookei, Arthroderma tuberculatum and Arthroderma crocatum. A potentially new species of Arthroderma was also found in Melbourne Metropolitan. These findings reveal a unique dermatophyte fingerprint in toenails for Eastern Australia.

• Klíčová slova
• Arthroderma, Dermatophyte, Geophilic dermatophytes, Nail dust, Onychomycosis, Trichophyton,
• MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• intergenová DNA genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nehty mikrobiologie   MeSH
• onychomykóza mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Trichophyton genetika   patogenita   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Austrálie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• intergenová DNA MeSH

An undescribed Microsporum species was isolated from skin scales recovered from a 40-mm large, annular, scaling lesion on the wrist of a 46-year-old woman. The risk factors for dermatophyte infection in the patient were frequent work in the garden, hunting, and contact with dogs and horses. Direct microscopic examination of the scales revealed the presence of dermatophyte hyphae; when the samples were cultured, a morphologically similar fungus grew on all slants in pure culture. Both of these findings strongly suggested that the isolate was the true causal agent of infection. The possible geophilic nature of the species was based on phylogenetic analysis (internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA and β-tubulin gene) that placed it in between species of the M. gypseum complex. However, its divergencies from all other Microsporum species exceeded 4% base pairs. Based on β-tubulin phylogeny, the isolated species is a sister to M. gypseum. The species produces abundant chlamydospores and clumps of hyphae similar to those of ascomatal primordia but no conidia and ascospores. The species was unable to grow at 37°C and does not grow on T6 basal medium, which is unlike other Microsporum species; hair perforation and urease tests were positive. The addition of histidine to the T6 medium resulted in rapid growth of the fungus. The phylogenetic evidence, morphology, growth parameters, and physiology justified the proposal that the isolate is a new species, M. aenigmaticum, sp. nov.

• Klíčová slova
• Arthroderma, Onygenales, geophilic dermatophytes, keratinophilic fungi, skin infection, sterile fungi,
• MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mezerníky ribozomální DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• Microsporum klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• mykologické určovací techniky MeSH
• ribozomální DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• shluková analýza MeSH
• tinea diagnóza   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• tubulin genetika   MeSH
• zápěstí mikrobiologie   patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• mezerníky ribozomální DNA MeSH
• ribozomální DNA MeSH
• tubulin MeSH

Dermatophytoses are infectious skin diseases caused by some sorts of Fungi - dermatophytes. Based on their source dermatophytes are classified to geophilic, zoophilic and antrophophilic groups. Animals are primary afflicted by zoophilic Fungi, manifestations on their skin are highly infectious and Fungi can be transmitted to humans. Some members of zoophilic dermatophytes are: Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes and Trichophyton verrucosum. Most common clinical findings in humans and also in some animals are described. If a zoophilic dermatophytosis is diagnosed at a patient, not only treatment of that person is necessary. Isolation and treatment of the afflicted animal, disinfection of its environment and locking for other infected persons and animals are essential. Finally, three various cases of zoophilic dermatophytoses are described.

• MeSH
• dermatomykózy diagnóza   přenos   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• tinea diagnóza   přenos   MeSH
• zoonózy * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• anglický abstrakt MeSH
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH

Based on their own results assembled during mycological examinations of 9958 subjects, 5496 animals and 648 specimens of non-animal substrates, and using data from the literature, the authors tried to formulate general laws concerning the prevalence of causal agents of mycoses with a zoonotic character which circulate steadily in urban areas: Microsporum canis, M. persicolor, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, M. equinum and T. equinum, T. verrucosum, some geophilic dermatophytes, Cryptococcus neoformans and Emmonsia crescens. In the characteristics of different urban cycles they used as a basis the evaluation of the prevalence of reservoir animals and reservoir substrates on the territory of towns and the evaluation of the most frequent routes of transmission of the agents from extrahuman sources to man. Preventive provisions leading to a reduction of the risk of the disease in humans must be specific with regard to different urban cycles.

• MeSH
• dermatomykózy přenos   veterinární   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zdraví ve městech * MeSH
• zoonózy přenos   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• anglický abstrakt MeSH
• časopisecké články MeSH