Molecular characterization of five metalloproteases (Mep1-5) in Microsporum audouinii strains circulating in Belgium.

Background Microsporum audouinii (M. audouinii) is an anthropophilic dermatophyte responsible for tinea capitis in young children. Infections caused by this species are very contagious and are responsible for outbreaks in schools and communities. Different proteases are produced by dermatophytes to digest tissue keratin. Among these proteases metalloproteases (Mep) have already been described as potential virulence factors in different zoonotic species such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. In the present study, primers targeting five metalloproteases Mep1-5 have been desig... Mehr ...