Which Fungus Originally was Trichophyton mentagrophytes? Historical Review and Illustration by a Clinical Case

Abstract

Several dermatophytes producing numerous pyriform or round microconidia were called Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Among these dermatophytes are the teleomorph species Arthroderma benhamiae, Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii and Arthroderma simii, and other species such as Trichophyton interdigitale, Trichophyton erinacei and Trichophyton quinckeanum for which only the anamorph is known. Confusion exists about which fungus should be really called T. mentagrophytes and about the rational use of this name in practice. We report a case of beard ringworm (tinea barbae) with A. vanbreuseghemii. According to both clinical signs and the type of hair parasitism, this case was exactly compatible to the first description of a non-favic dermatophytosis by Gruby under the name of ''mentagrophyte'' from which was derived the dermatophyte epithet mentagrophytes. In addition, the phenotypic characters of the isolated fungus in cultures perfectly matched with those of the first description of a dermatophyte under T. mentagrophytes by Blanchard (Parasites animaux et parasites végétaux à l'exclusion des Bactéries, Masson, Paris, 1896). In conclusion, T. mentagrophytes corresponds to the fungus later named A. vanbreuseghemii. However, because the neotype of T. mentagrophytes was not adequately designated in regard to the ancient literature, we would privilege the use of A. vanbreuseghemii and abandon the name of T. mentagrophytes.

Nucleotide Sequence Database Comparison for Routine Dermatophyte Identification by Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 Genetic Region DNA Barcoding

“…For almost all 41 sequences of this group, the CBS database proposed three identification results: T. interdigitale, T. mentagrophytes, and A. vanbreuseghemii. Although Chollet et al (12) and De Hoog et al (6) proposed A. vanbreuseghemii to be synonymous with T. mentagrophytes, it is, however, referenced in most of the DNA databases as a synonym of T. interdigitale. Thus, we decided to retain the three names in the present study and further investigate their validity.…”

Tinea Corporis Due to <i>Trichophyton erinacei</i> Probably Transmitted from a Hedgehog

“…erinacei carried by hedgehog hosts is distinguished from T. benhamiae that is carried mainly by hosts such as guinea pigs or rabbits. Although the teleomorph of T. mentagrophytes (Arthroderma benhamiae) is common, T. erinacei is recognized as an independent species from T. benhamiae based on the nucleotide sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA 4,5) . Human infection with T. erinacei was first reported in 1960 by Marples and Smith 6) .…”

Molecular Methods For Diagnostics Of Dermatomycoses – Review Of Available Techniques And Evaluation Of Their Advantages And Disadvantages In Implementation For In Routine Use

“…W bazie tej znajdują się liczne błędy, które polegają na zapisie identycznych sekwencji nukleotydowych pod różnymi nazwami gatunkowymi (w szczególności dotyczy to sekwencji ITS i 28S). Powodem takiego stanu są wielokrotne zmiany nomenklaturyczne dermatofitów, przede wszystkim w obrębie kompleksów T. mentagrophytes i T. benhamiae, będących przedmiotem badań w licznych ośrodkach naukowych [4,13]. Wiele gatunków, pochodzących z izolatów klinicznych, wchodzących w skład wymienionych kompleksów jest błędnie zidentyfikowanych przez deponentów sekwencji.…”