Genotypic characterization of T. mentagrophytes complex strains circulating in Belgium with the Diversilab® system.

Background Infections due to the zoophilic dermatophyte Arthroderma benhamiae are being more frequently diagnosed in Belgium since a few years. The most common source of infection is guinea pigs. This species which is referred to the Trichophyton species of A.benhamiae can cause tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea manus and more frequently tinea faciei. These strains appear with a bright yellow thallus in culture and do not easily sporulate making them difficult to identify. Sequencing of these strains reveals “Arthroderma benhamiae”. At the contrary white strains of T. mentagrophytes complex... Mehr ...