4.6 Article

Comprehensive Taxonomical Analysis of Trichophyton mentagrophytes/interdigitale Complex of Human and Animal Origin from India

Journal

JOURNAL OF FUNGI
Volume 9, Issue 5, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/jof9050577

Keywords

Trichophyton mentagrophytes; phylogenetic analysis; internal transcribed spacer; translational elongation factors; mating gene; animal

Ask authors/readers for more resources

The taxonomic classification of the etiologic agents responsible for recalcitrant dermatophytosis causing an epidemic in India is still under debate. Through multigene sequence analysis, the study identified T. indotineae as the organism responsible, which is a clonal offshoot of T. mentagrophytes. The study also revealed the role of zoonotic transmission and the need for accurate species designation due to outdated/inaccurate naming in public databases.
Taxonomic delineation of etiologic agents responsible for recalcitrant dermatophytosis causing an epidemic in India is still debated. The organism responsible for this epidemic is designated as T. indotineae, a clonal offshoot of T. mentagrophytes. To evaluate the real identity of the agent causing this epidemic, we performed a multigene sequence analysis of Trichophyton species isolated from human and animal origin. We included Trichophyton species isolated from 213 human and six animal hosts. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) (n = 219), translational elongation factors (TEF 1-a) (n = 40), ss-tubulin (BT) (n = 40), large ribosomal subunit (LSU) (n = 34), calmodulin (CAL) (n = 29), high mobility group (HMG) transcription factor gene (n = 17) and a-box gene (n = 17) were sequenced. Our sequences were compared with Trichophyton mentagrophytes species complex sequences in the NCBI database. Except for one isolate (ITS genotype III) from animal origin, all the tested genes grouped our isolates and belonged to the Indian ITS genotype, currently labeled as T. indotineae. ITS and TEF 1-a were more congruent compared to other genes. In this study, for the first time, we isolated the T mentagrophytes ITS Type VIII from animal origin, suggesting the role of zoonotic transmission in the ongoing epidemic. Isolation of T. mentagrophytes type III only from animal indicates its niche among animals. Outdated/inaccurate naming for these dermatophytes in the public database has created confusion in using appropriate species designation.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.6
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available