The use of a one-step PCR method for the identification of Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection of pets.

Abstract

Dermatophytes are a closely related group of keratinophilic fungi. They encompass important etiological agents of superficial fungal infections. These fungi are able to invade keratinized tissues of humans and animals, causing dermatophytosis (ringworm) of hair, nails or skin. Traditional diagnostics of ringworm is based on morphological identification of cultured fungi and is time-consuming. In this study, we applied a method patented by Brillowska-Dabrowska and coworkers (Brillowska-Dąbrowska A, Saunte DM, Arenderup MC, 2007, Five-hour diagnosis of dermatophyte nail infections with specific detection of Trichophyton rubrum. J Clin Microbiol 45: 1200-1204) which involves extraction of fungal DNA and PCR amplification with pan-dermatophyte primers to confirm the presence of dermatophytes. The method used here is able to confirm the presence of dermatophyte DNA in pure cultures in less than 5 hours.