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Home / Equine Research Bank / Folia Microbiol (Praha) / Re-discovery of Trichophyton bullosum in North Africa as a c...
Folia microbiologica2021; 67(2); 265-275; doi: 10.1007/s12223-021-00930-9

Re-discovery of Trichophyton bullosum in North Africa as a cause of severe dermatophytosis in donkeys.

Abstract: This article reports the first verified cases of infection by Trichophyton bullosum in Africa since the description of the fungus, isolated in 1933 from the coat of horses in Tunisia and Mali. We found the fungus in cutaneous samples obtained from donkeys suffering from severe dermatitis with areas of alopecia and scaling in the surroundings of Cairo (Egypt). Fungal elements (arthroconidia and hyphae) were seen at the microscopy of material collected by skin scraping and digested in NaOH. Fungal colonies grown on various culture media were identified through PCR and sequencing of the ITS rDNA region. Since the original report in Africa and the Middle East, only a few cases have been reported thus far in humans in France and two cases in horses in the Czech Republic and Japan. Trichophyton bullosum seems thus an infrequent cause of dermatophytosis. However, the actual prevalence of this pathogen may be underestimated due to the similarity with T. verrucosum, a predominant cause of infection in cattle, occasionally found on horses and donkeys. Indeed, the two fungi can be distinguished only via molecular methods, which are poorly employed in epidemiological studies on equine and bovine dermatophytosis. The present study results add to our knowledge on the ecology of this poorly explored dermatophyte, supporting the concept that equines are the primary hosts of T. bullosum and confirming the presence of this pathogen in Africa. At the same time, these are the first unequivocally documented infections in donkeys due to T. bullosum.
© 2021. Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-10 PubMed ID: 34761341DOI: 10.1007/s12223-021-00930-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research article documents the first confirmed cases of Trichophyton bullosum infections in donkeys in Africa since the fungus was initially identified in 1933.

Research context and methodology

  • The research team noted cases of severe dermatitis in donkeys around Cairo, Egypt, prompting the study.
  • The donkeys showed signs of dermatophytosis, including alopecia and skin scaling.
  • Cutaneous samples were taken from the affected donkeys for further examination and diagnosis.
  • Investigation included microscopic analysis of material collected by skin scraping and digested in Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH).

Fungal identification

  • Fungal elements, such as arthroconidia and hyphae, were identified via the microscopic examination.
  • The isolates were cultured on various media to enable further studying of their characteristics.
  • PCR and ITS rDNA region sequencing methods were used to definitively identify the fungus as Trichophyton bullosum.

Historical context and implications

  • The study marks the first confirmed outbreak of this fungus in Africa since its initial documentation.
  • The fungus was first reported in horses in Tunisia and Mali back in 1933 and had since seen scant reporting in various regions, including instances of human infections in France, and two cases in horses in the Czech Republic and Japan.
  • Because this fungus can be easily mistaken for Trichophyton verrucosum, a common infection in cattle and occasionally found in horses and donkeys, researchers suggest its prevalence may be underestimated. The two can be differentiated accurately only through advanced molecular methods, which are not widely used in epidemiological studies.

Significance of the Study

  • This research enhances existing understanding about the ecology of the Trichophyton bullosum fungus.
  • The study supports the theory that equines are the primary hosts of this fungus and reaffirms its existence in Africa.
  • Importantly, it’s the first study to confirm, beyond doubt, the infection of donkeys by T. bullosum.

Cite This Article

APA
Peano A, Arnoldi S, Čmoková A, Hubka V. (2021). Re-discovery of Trichophyton bullosum in North Africa as a cause of severe dermatophytosis in donkeys. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 67(2), 265-275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12223-021-00930-9

Publication

Folia microbiologica
ISSN: 1874-9356
NlmUniqueID: 0376757
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 67
Issue: 2
Pages: 265-275

Researcher Affiliations

Peano, Andrea
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco (Turin), 10095, Italy.
Arnoldi, Sara
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco (Turin), 10095, Italy.
Čmoková, Adéla
  • Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, Prague 2, 12801, Czech Republic.
  • Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4, 14220, Czech Republic.
Hubka, Vit
  • Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, Prague 2, 12801, Czech Republic. vit.hubka@gmail.com.
  • Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4, 14220, Czech Republic. vit.hubka@gmail.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Africa, Northern
  • Animals
  • Arthrodermataceae / genetics
  • Cattle
  • Equidae
  • Horses
  • Tinea / epidemiology
  • Tinea / microbiology
  • Tinea / veterinary
  • Trichophyton / genetics

Grant Funding

  • No. 204069 / charles university research centre program
  • RVO: 61388971 / czech academy of sciences long-term research development project

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