Molecular taxonomy of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T-tonsurans

Most members of the anamorph genus Trichophyton are anthropophilic and have evolved with the human host. Classical parameters for the identification o f dermatophytes include clinical features, cultural characteristics, conidi al morphology and physiological test results. Phenotypic variability and pl eomorphism due to culturing on artifical media is common among this group o f organisms and has led to the description of numerous species. The validit y of taxa around T. mentagrophytes and T. tonsurans was verified. Morpholog ical and physiological features were compared to results of three different molecular techniques (sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal operon, PCR fingerprinting and amplified fragment l ength polymorphism (AFLP) analysis). Twenty-four species or varieties inves tigated could be reduced to five taxa and were reclassified or synonymized as Trichophyton tonsurans, T. interdigitale, T. mentagrophytes, T. simii an d T. erinacei.