Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Microsporum equinum in North America.
Abstract: Microsporum equinum was isolated in Ontario, Canada, from five human and two equine cases of ringworm infection. This dermatophyte was previously recovered from North American horses on several occasions, but was considered to be M. canis. We regard M. equinum as distinct from M. canis. It can be differentiated from M. canis by the smaller size of its macroconidia, its failure to perforate hair in vitro, its poor growth and sporulation on bromocresol purple casein dextrose agar, and its incompatibility with Nannizzia otae, the telemorph of M. canis.
Publication Date: 1982-11-01 PubMed ID: 7153343PubMed Central: PMC272506DOI: 10.1128/jcm.16.5.943-947.1982Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study discovered a type of fungus, Microsporum equinum, in Canada, which causes ringworm infection in humans and horses, and showed that it differs significantly from another similar fungus, Microsporum canis.
Introduction and Findings
The research focused on a fungus species known as Microsporum equinum discovered in Ontario, Canada. This fungus had infected five human individuals and two horses, causing a common skin condition referred to as ringworm. There have been previous instances where this specific fungus was discovered in horses in North America. However, it was falsely identified as a different fungus, Microsporum canis.
- The researchers argue that Microsporum equinum is distinct from Microsporum canis based on several crucial characteristics.
Difference in Features
Microsporum equinum and Microsporum canis can be differentiated by focusing on their unique attributes. The researchers highlighted four significant differences found in M.equinum:
- Smaller Macroconidia: The first distinguishable feature is that the M. equinum produces macroconidia (a type of fungal spore) that are significantly smaller in size compared to those produced by M. canis.
- Inability to Perforate Hair In Vitro: Unlike M. canis, M. equinum cannot penetrate hair follicles when grown in a laboratory setting.
- Poor Growth on Certain Agar: When M. equinum is grown on bromocresol purple casein dextrose agar, which is a specific type of growth medium, this fungus does not thrive or produce a significant amount of spores compared to M. canis.
- Incompatibility with Nannizzia Otae: M. equinum was found to be incompatible with the fungus Nannizzia otae, which is the telemorph (sexually reproducing form) of M. canis.
These characteristics, as documented by the researchers, make a compelling argument for M. equinum being distinct from M. canis. The discovery and detailed identification of M. equinum allow for better diagnosis and treatment of ringworm infections in both humans and animals, by considering this distinct species.
Cite This Article
APA
Kane J, Padhye AA, Ajello L.
(1982).
Microsporum equinum in North America.
J Clin Microbiol, 16(5), 943-947.
https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.16.5.943-947.1982 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Culture Media
- Horses / microbiology
- Humans
- Microsporum / cytology
- Microsporum / growth & development
- Microsporum / isolation & purification
- North America
References
This article includes 15 references
- Br J Dermatol. 1972 Feb;86(2):175-6
- Veterinariia. 1975 Oct;(10):49-51
- Zentralbl Veterinarmed B. 1975 Dec;22(10):833-41
- Aust Vet J. 1976 Sep;52(9):419-21
- J Clin Microbiol. 1978 Dec;8(6):740-7
- N Z Vet J. 1979 Jul;27(7):136, 143-4
- Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand B. 1980 Apr;88(2):79-83
- Mycopathologia. 1980 Nov 28;72(3):135-41
- J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1953 Aug;123(917):111-4
- Mycopathol Mycol Appl. 1957 Mar 25;8(1):3-17
- Am J Vet Res. 1957 Oct;18(69):798-810
- J Invest Dermatol. 1957 Jul;29(1):27-37
- Vestn Dermatol Venerol. 1964 Feb;38:25-6
- Sabouraudia. 1968 Feb;6(2):147-59
- Can J Microbiol. 1971 Jul;17(7):911-3
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Kukhar Y, Bailina G, Smagulova A, Uakhit R, Kiyan V. Characteristics of Chrysosporium spp. Pathogens Causing Skin Mycoses in Horses. J Fungi (Basel) 2025 Apr 9;11(4).
- Bhunjun CS, Chen YJ, Phukhamsakda C, Boekhout T, Groenewald JZ, McKenzie EHC, Francisco EC, Frisvad JC, Groenewald M, Hurdeal VG, Luangsa-Ard J, Perrone G, Visagie CM, Bai FY, Błaszkowski J, Braun U, de Souza FA, de Queiroz MB, Dutta AK, Gonkhom D, Goto BT, Guarnaccia V, Hagen F, Houbraken J, Lachance MA, Li JJ, Luo KY, Magurno F, Mongkolsamrit S, Robert V, Roy N, Tibpromma S, Wanasinghe DN, Wang DQ, Wei DP, Zhao CL, Aiphuk W, Ajayi-Oyetunde O, Arantes TD, Araujo JC, Begerow D, Bakhshi M, Barbosa RN, Behrens FH, Bensch K, Bezerra JDP, Bilański P, Bradley CA, Bubner B, Burgess TI, Buyck B, Čadež N, Cai L, Calaça FJS, Campbell LJ, Chaverri P, Chen YY, Chethana KWT, Coetzee B, Costa MM, Chen Q, Custódio FA, Dai YC, Damm U, Santiago ALCMA, De Miccolis Angelini RM, Dijksterhuis J, Dissanayake AJ, Doilom M, Dong W, Álvarez-Duarte E, Fischer M, Gajanayake AJ, Gené J, Gomdola D, Gomes AAM, Hausner G, He MQ, Hou L, Iturrieta-González I, Jami F, Jankowiak R, Jayawardena RS, Kandemir H, Kiss L, Kobmoo N, Kowalski T, Landi L, Lin CG, Liu JK, Liu XB, Loizides M, Luangharn T, Maharachchikumbura SSN, Mkhwanazi GJM, Manawasinghe IS, Marin-Felix Y, McTaggart AR, Moreau PA, Morozova OV, Mostert L, Osiewacz HD, Pem D, Phookamsak R, Pollastro S, Pordel A, Poyntner C, Phillips AJL, Phonemany M, Promputtha I, Rathnayaka AR, Rodrigues AM, Romanazzi G, Rothmann L, Salgado-Salazar C, Sandoval-Denis M, Saupe SJ, Scholler M, Scott P, Shivas RG, Silar P, Silva-Filho AGS, Souza-Motta CM, Spies CFJ, Stchigel AM, Sterflinger K, Summerbell RC, Svetasheva TY, Takamatsu S, Theelen B, Theodoro RC, Thines M, Thongklang N, Torres R, Turchetti B, van den Brule T, Wang XW, Wartchow F, Welti S, Wijesinghe SN, Wu F, Xu R, Yang ZL, Yilmaz N, Yurkov A, Zhao L, Zhao RL, Zhou N, Hyde KD, Crous PW. What are the 100 most cited fungal genera?. Stud Mycol 2024 Jul;108:1-411.
- Zhou X, Ahmed SA, Tang C, Grisolia ME, Warth JFG, Webster K, Peano A, Uhrlass S, Cafarchia C, Hayette MP, Sacheli R, Matos T, Kang Y, de Hoog GS, Feng P. Human adaptation and diversification in the Microsporum canis complex. IMA Fungus 2023 Jul 24;14(1):14.
- Kawasaki M, Aoki M, Ishizaki H. Phylogenetic relationships of some Microsporum and Arthroderma species inferred from mitochondrial DNA analysis. Mycopathologia 1995;130(1):11-21.
- Weitzman I, Summerbell RC. The dermatophytes. Clin Microbiol Rev 1995 Apr;8(2):240-59.
- Kane J, Sigler L, Summerbell RC. Improved procedures for differentiating Microsporum persicolor from Trichophyton mentagrophytes. J Clin Microbiol 1987 Dec;25(12):2449-52.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
