Trichophyton rubrum
Encyclopedia
Trichophyton rubrum is a fungus
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large 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, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...

 that is the most common cause of athlete's foot
Athlete's foot
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin that causes scaling, flaking, and itch of affected areas. It is caused by fungi in the genus Trichophyton and is typically transmitted in moist areas where people walk barefoot, such as showers or bathhouses...

, jock itch
Jock itch
Tinea cruris, also known as crotch itch, crotch rot, Dhobie itch, eczema marginatum, gym itch, jock itch, and ringworm of the groin in American English is a dermatophyte fungal infection of the groin region in either sex, though more often seen in males...

 and ringworm. This fungus was first described by Malmsten in 1845.
The growth rate of Trichophyton colonies in the lab can be slow to rather quick. Their texture is waxy, smooth and even to cottony. From the top, the color is white to bright yellowish beige or red violet. Reverse is pale, yellowish, brown, or reddish-brown. Although the trichophyton rubrum is the most common of the dermatophytes causing fingernail fungus infections, there are others. Trichophyton mentagrophytes is the second most common source of fungal nail infections from the dermatophyte group.

Common Skin Diseases

  • Ringworm properly known as dermatophytosis
  • Athlete's foot
    Athlete's foot
    Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin that causes scaling, flaking, and itch of affected areas. It is caused by fungi in the genus Trichophyton and is typically transmitted in moist areas where people walk barefoot, such as showers or bathhouses...

     properly known as Tinea pedis
  • Jock itch
    Jock itch
    Tinea cruris, also known as crotch itch, crotch rot, Dhobie itch, eczema marginatum, gym itch, jock itch, and ringworm of the groin in American English is a dermatophyte fungal infection of the groin region in either sex, though more often seen in males...

     properly known as Tinea cruris
  • Fungal Folliculitis
    Folliculitis
    Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin with the exception of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.- Causes :...

     of the Scalp properly known as Tinea capitis
    Tinea capitis
    Tinea capitis is a superficial fungal infection of the scalp. The disease is primarily caused by dermatophytes in the Trichophyton and Microsporum genera that invade the hair shaft...

  • Fungal Folliculitis of the Beard properly known as Tinea barbae
    Tinea barbae
    Tinea barbæ is a fungal infection of the hair. Tinea barbae is due to a dermatophytic infection around the bearded area of men. Generally, the infection occurs as a follicular inflammation, or as a cutaneous granulomatous lesion, i.e. a chronic inflammatory reaction. It is one of the causes of...

  • Fungal Folliculitis of the Legs properly known as Majocchi granuloma often occurs in females who shave their legs.
  • Onychomycosis
    Onychomycosis
    Onychomycosis means fungal infection of the nail. It is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about a half of all nail abnormalities....

    (nail infection)

Identification

Positive, selective diagnosis of T. rubrum is difficult as many members of the genus react similarly with test reagents. The Mycology Unit at the Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital uses a dermatophyte identification scheme comprising 6 different media to help identify and differentiate the various species and strains of Trichophyton. The media in this scheme are Littman Oxgall agar, Lactritmel agar, Sabouraud's agar with 5% NaCl, 1% Peptone agar, Trichophyton agar No. 1, and hydrolysis of urea.

External links

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