Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Classification
Fungi; Ascomycota; Eurotiomycetes; Onygenales; Anthrodermataceae
Species
NCBI: [1] |
Genus species
Description and Significance
ichophyton Mentagrophyte comes from the name "mentagre" which means "plants caught under the chin" in Greek and Latin etymology. It is also be known as Ringworm or Dermatophytes
Zoophilic fungus with distribution worldwide with a wide range of animal hosts. Trichophyton Mentagrophyte produces inflammatory skin or scalp lesions, a kerion(inflammatory, pus-filled sore) may occur in the beard or scalp as well. Colonies are a white creamy color, flat, with a powdery to granular surface. Reverse pigmentation shows up as a yellow-brown or reddish-brown color.
Genome Structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
Microconidia of T. mentagrophytes are hyaline, smooth-walled, spherical to subspherical in shape, and occasional pyriform to clavate or of irregular shape. They are clavate to fusiform, and thin- or thick-walled with 4-5 cells separated by parallel cross-walls, which are laterally directly grown on the hyphae or on short pedicels. During morpho-physiological reduction and differentiation, T. mentagrophytes can assimilate phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and calcium and utilized glucose and amine nitrogen. Different from other dermatophytes, plenty of mitochondria and granules are observed in T. mentagrophytes. It has a preference for methionine as nitrogen sources and can’t utilize the trisaccharide melezitose probably due to lack of specific enzymes.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
Author
Page authored by _Caroline Doby__, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.