Dermatophytes are fungi that belong to three genera: Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. Identification of dermatophyte species is essential for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of dermatophytosis. Routine identification depends on macroscopic and microscopic morphology, which is time-consuming and does not identify dermatophyte strains. In this study, two PCR-based methods were compared for their abilities to identify 21 dermatophyte isolates obtained from Egyptian patients to the species and strain levels. The first method employed a two-step method: PCR amplification, using ITS1 and ITS4 as primers, followed by restriction enzyme digestion using the endonuclease MvaI. The second method employed a one-step approach employing the repetitive oligonucleotide (GACA) 4 as a primer. Dermatophyte strains were also identified using a conventional culture method. Our results showed that the conventional culture method identified four species: Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton violaceum. Moreover, both PCR methods agreed with the diagnosis made using the conventional approach. Furthermore, ITS1/ITS4-based PCR provided no strain differentiation, while (GACA) 4 -based PCR identified different varieties among the T. mentagrophytes isolates. Taken together, our results suggest that (GACA) 4 -based PCR has utility as a simple and rapid method for identification of dermatophyte species as well as utility for differentiation of T. mentagrophytes variants.Dermatophytes comprise a group of related fungi that belong to three genera, Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton, each of which includes several recognized species. These fungi are keratinophylic, as they infect the superficial keratinized tissues (skin, hair, and nails) of humans and animals (16), and can cause cutaneous mycoses which are called dermatophytoses, tinea, or ringworm infections. Health care costs associated with management of these mycoses are high (2, 14). Moreover, dermatophytoses are widespread and increasing in prevalence on a global scale and the recent increase in their incidence has been attributed to the increase of immunocompromised states, such as those associated with AIDS, diabetes mellitus, organ transplantation, and the use of corticosteroids and antineoplastic agents (3,5,11,17).The identification of dermatophyte species is essential for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of dermatophytosis. As the dermatophytes were reported to cause outbreaks of infection, especially in closed communities (15), their identification to the species as well as strain levels has a great epidemiological value in the investigations of such outbreaks with regard to identifying the sources of infections and establishing plans to manage and control them.Routine laboratory procedures for the identification of dermatophytes rely on culturing of these fungi on appropriate growth media, followed by examination of the gross morphological characters of their colonies (e.g., rate of growth, colony topo...

Background: Community acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is emerging in hospitals, worldwide. Method: In Suez Canal University Hospitals (SCUH), we documented CA-MRSA causing hospital acquired-(HA-) sepsis, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of CA-MRSA major virulence determinant genes, namely: Panton-Valentine leukocidin "pvl", accessory regulator "agr" I and III, and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec "SCCmec" genes IV and V. Antibiograms were determined by disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results: Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus was detected in 90 hospital acquired infections (HAIs), including bacteremia, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, soft tissue infections, and meningitis. Pvl gene, characterizing CA-MRSA, was detected in 24/90 MRSA strains (26.7%). Pvl+ve strains were subtyped into SCCmec gene type II (8.3%), type IV (75%), type V (8.3%), and 8.3% were non-typeable. They showed only agr group I (62.5%), and III (37.5%). Co-trimoxazole resistance was detected in 41.6% of CA-MRSA. Only 12.5% of CA-MRSA strains were susceptible to all non-beta-lactam drugs. There was no statistical correlation between SCCmec or agr groups, and co-trimoxazole resistance in CA-MRSA; nor between SCCmec types and agr groups. Conclusion: Community aquired-MRSA is emerging in all wards of SCU hospitals, causing HAI, mostly soft tissue infections. The classical antibiogram of CA-MRSA is no longer prevailing. Diagnosis of CA-MRSA should rely upon detection of pvl gene, rather that clinical and antibiogram-profiles. The name "CA-MRSA" is no longer satisfactory to describe such strains in hospital settings; instead, Pvl +ve MRSA is more accurate and reliable term to use.