Epidermophyton

Epidermophyton clinical

Moccasin type tinea pedis caused by Epidermophyton floccosum.

Epidermophyton floccosum

Epidermophyton floccosum is an anthropophilic dermatophyte with a worldwide distribution which often causes tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis and onychomycosis.

It is not known to invade hair in vivo and no specific growth requirements have been reported.

RG-2 organism.

Epidermophyton culture

Culture of Epidermophyton floccosum.

Morphological description: 
Colonies are usually slow growing, greenish-brown or khaki-coloured with a suede-like surface, raised and folded in the centre, with a flat periphery and submerged fringe of growth. Older cultures may develop white pleomorphic tufts of mycelium. A deep yellowish-brown reverse pigment is usually present. Microscopic morphology shows characteristic smooth, thin-walled macroconidia which are often produced in clusters growing directly from the hyphae. Numerous chlamydospores are formed in older cultures. Microconidia are not formed.

Epidermophyton microscopy

Macroconidia and chlamydoconidia of E. floccosum.

Key features: 
Culture characteristics, microscopic morphology and clinical disease.

 

References:

  • de Hoog, G.S., Guarro, J., Gene, J., et al. (2015) Atlas of Clinical Fungi (Version 4.1.2). Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
  • de Hoog, G.S., Guarro, J., J. Gene, J., et al. (2020) Atlas of clinical fungi. 4th edition. Foundation Atlas of Clinical Fungi https://webshop.atlasclinicalfungi.org.
  • Liu, J., Ge, L., Mei, H., et al. (2021) Comparative genomics and molecular analysis of Epidermophyton floccosum. Mycopathologia, 186, 487-497.
  • Kidd, S., Halliday, C., Ellis, D. (2023) Descriptions of Medical Fungi (4th edition). CABI.
  • Mackenzie, D.W.R., Loeffler, W., Mantovani, A., et al. (1986) Guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention and control of dermatophytosis in man and animals. (No. WHO/CDS/VPH/86.67). World Health Organization, Geneva.
  • Rebell, G. and Taplin, D. (1970) Dermatophytes; their recognition and identification. University of Miami Press, FL, USA.
  • Rippon, J.W. (1988) Medical mycology: the pathogenic fungi and the pathogenic actinomycetes, 3rd edition. W,B. Saunders Co, Philadelphia, USA.

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