Microsporum gypseum (257 17) Microculture

''Microsporum'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

fungi A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from ...

that causes

tinea capitis Tinea capitis (also known as "herpes tonsurans", "ringworm of the hair", "ringworm of the scalp", "scalp ringworm", and "tinea tonsurans") is a cutaneous fungal infection (dermatophytosis) of the scalp. The disease is primarily caused by dermatoph ...

tinea corporis Tinea corporis is a fungal infection of the body, similar to other forms of tinea. Specifically, it is a type of dermatophytosis (or ringworm) that appears on the arms and legs, especially on glabrous skin; however, it may occur on any superficial ...

ringworm Dermatophytosis, also known as ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin. Typically it results in a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash. Hair loss may occur in the area affected. Symptoms begin four to fourteen days after exposure. Multiple a ...

, and other

dermatophytoses Dermatophytosis, also known as ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin. Typically it results in a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash. Hair loss may occur in the area affected. Symptoms begin four to fourteen days after exposure. Multiple ar ...

(

fungal infection Fungal infection, also known as mycosis, is disease caused by fungi. Different types are traditionally divided according to the part of the body affected; superficial, subcutaneous, and systemic. Superficial fungal infections include common ti ...

s of the

skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other cuticle, animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have diffe ...

). ''Microsporum'' forms both

macroconidia A conidium ( ; ), sometimes termed an asexual chlamydospore or chlamydoconidium (), is an Asexual reproduction, asexual, non-motility, motile spore of a fungus. The word ''conidium'' comes from the Ancient Greek word for dust, ('). They are al ...

(large asexual reproductive structures) and

microconidia A conidium ( ; ), sometimes termed an asexual chlamydospore or chlamydoconidium (), is an asexual, non-motile spore of a fungus. The word ''conidium'' comes from the Ancient Greek word for dust, ('). They are also called mitospores due to th ...

(smaller asexual reproductive structures) on short

conidiophores A conidium ( ; ), sometimes termed an asexual chlamydospore or chlamydoconidium (), is an asexual, non-motile spore of a fungus. The word ''conidium'' comes from the Ancient Greek word for dust, ('). They are also called mitospores due to ...

. Macroconidia are

hyaline A hyaline substance is one with a glassy appearance. The word is derived from el, ὑάλινος, translit=hyálinos, lit=transparent, and el, ὕαλος, translit=hýalos, lit=crystal, glass, label=none. Histopathology Hyaline cartilage is ...

, multiseptate, variable in form,

fusiform Fusiform means having a spindle-like shape that is wide in the middle and tapers at both ends. It is similar to the lemon-shape, but often implies a focal broadening of a structure that continues from one or both ends, such as an aneurysm on a b ...

, spindle-shaped to obovate, 7–20 by 30–160 um in size, with thin or thick

echinulate The following is a glossary of scientific terminology, terms used in the description of lichens, composite organisms that arise from algae or cyanobacteria living among Hypha, filaments of multiple fungus species in a Mutualism (biology), mutuali ...

to verrucose cell walls. Their shape, size and cell wall features are important characteristics for species identification. Microconidia are hyaline, single-celled,

pyriform Piriform, sometimes ''pyriform'', means pear-shaped (from Latin ''pirum'' "pear" and ''forma'' "shape"). It may also refer to: Going pear-shaped * Going wrong or going pear-shaped Anatomy * Piriform aperture, more commonly known as anterior n ...

to clavate, smooth-walled, 2.5–3.5 by 4–7 um in size and are not diagnostic for any one

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

. The separation of this genus from ''

Trichophyton ''Trichophyton'' is a genus of fungi, which includes the parasitic varieties that cause tinea, including athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch, and similar infections of the nail, beard, skin and scalp. Trichophyton fungi are molds characterize ...

'' is essentially based on the roughness of the macroconidial cell wall, although in practice this may sometimes be difficult to observe. Seventeen species of ''Microsporum'' have been described; however, only the more common species are included in these descriptions. The keratinolytic properties that ''Microsporum cookei'' possesses suggests that the fungus can alternatively be used for recycling the large amount of industrial keratinic waste.

Species

*''

Microsporum amazonicum ''Microsporum'' is a genus of fungi that causes tinea capitis, tinea corporis, ringworm, and other dermatophytoses ( fungal infections of the skin). ''Microsporum'' forms both macroconidia (large asexual reproductive structures) and microcon ...

'' *''

Microsporum audouinii ''Microsporum audouinii'' is an anthropophilic fungus in the genus ''Microsporum''. It is a type of dermatophyte that colonizes keratinized tissues (primarily hair) causing infection. The fungus is characterized by its spindle-shaped macroconidia ...

'' *''

Microsporum boullardii ''Microsporum'' is a genus of fungi that causes tinea capitis, tinea corporis, ringworm, and other dermatophytoses ( fungal infections of the skin). ''Microsporum'' forms both macroconidia (large asexual reproductive structures) and microcon ...

'' *''

Microsporum canis ''Microsporum canis'' is a pathogenic, asexual fungus in the phylum Ascomycota that infects the upper, dead layers of skin on domesticated cats, and occasionally dogs and humans. The species has a worldwide distribution. Taxonomy and evolution ...

'' *''

'' var. ''distortum'' *''

Microsporum cookei ''Microsporum'' is a genus of fungi that causes tinea capitis, tinea corporis, ringworm, and other dermatophytoses ( fungal infections of the skin). ''Microsporum'' forms both macroconidia (large asexual reproductive structures) and microcon ...

'' *''

Microsporum distortum ''Microsporum'' is a genus of fungi that causes tinea capitis, tinea corporis, ringworm, and other dermatophytoses (fungal infections of the skin). ''Microsporum'' forms both macroconidia (large asexual reproductive structures) and microconidi ...

'' *''

Microsporum duboisii ''Microsporum'' is a genus of fungi that causes tinea capitis, tinea corporis, ringworm, and other dermatophytoses ( fungal infections of the skin). ''Microsporum'' forms both macroconidia (large asexual reproductive structures) and microcon ...

'' *''

Microsporum equinum ''Microsporum'' is a genus of fungi that causes tinea capitis, tinea corporis, ringworm, and other dermatophytoses ( fungal infections of the skin). ''Microsporum'' forms both macroconidia (large asexual reproductive structures) and microcon ...

'' *''

Microsporum ferrugineum ''Microsporum'' is a genus of fungi that causes tinea capitis, tinea corporis, ringworm, and other dermatophytoses ( fungal infections of the skin). ''Microsporum'' forms both macroconidia (large asexual reproductive structures) and microcon ...

'' *''

Microsporum fulvum ''Microsporum fulvum'' is a wildly-distributed dermatophyte species in the Fungi Kingdom. It is known to be a close relative to other dermatophytes such as ''Trichophyton and'' ''Epidermophyton.'' The fungus is common within soil environments and ...

'' *''

Microsporum gallinae ''Microsporum gallinae'' is a fungus of the genus ''Microsporum'' that causes dermatophytosis, commonly known as ringworm. Chickens represent the host population of ''Microsporum gallinae'' but its opportunistic nature allows it to enter other po ...

'' *'' Microsporum gypseum'' *'' Microsporum langeronii'' *'' Microsporum nanum'' *'' Microsporum persicolor'' *'' Microsporum praecox'' *'' Microsporum ripariae'' *'' Microsporum rivalieri''

References

External links

Doctor FungusMycology Unit at the Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital
Parasitic fungi Arthrodermataceae Eurotiomycetes genera Taxa described in 1843 {{Eurotiomycetes-stub