Chlamydoconidium-producing Trichophyton tonsurans: Atypical morphological features of strains causing tinea capitis in Ceará, Brazil

• Published in: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine
• Main Authors: Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira Brilhante, Germana Costa Paixäo, Jonathas Sales de Oliveira, Vandbergue Santos Pereira, Marcos Fábio Gadelha Rocha, Reginaldo Gonçalves de Lima-Neto, Debora de Souza Collares Maia Castelo-Branco, Rossana de Aguiar Cordeiro, Jose Julio Costa Sidrim
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019
• Subjects: trichophyton tonsurans; chlamydoconidia; dermatophyte; phenotyping; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.4103/1995-7645.262567; https://doaj.org/article/4b14ed5156a84c38a8f23bb47091a208

Objective: To report atypical morphological features of Trichophyton (T.) tonsurans strains associated with tinea capitis. Methods: Eighty-two T. tonsurans strains isolated in Ceará, Brazil, were analyzed regarding macro and micromorphological features and nutritional patterns. Results: Fifty-two samples presented abundant chlamydoconidia, which were produced in chains. Macroscopically, these strains developed small glabrous colonies that were firmly attached to the surface of the culture medium, with few or no aerial mycelia and intense rusty yellow pigmentation. Seven strains did not grow with stimulus from thiamine. Samples were heterogeneous regarding urease production and none presented in vitro hair perforation. Conclusions: The observation of T. tonsurans strains with distinct phenotypic features indicates the need to revise the taxonomic criteria for routine identification of this dermatophyte.