Development and Evaluation of SYBR Green Real-Time PCR for Rapid and Specific Identification of Trichophyton indotineae.

Background: Since 2017, dermatophytosis caused by the newly introduced species Trichophyton indotineae has gained new interest worldwide due to the rise in terbinafine resistance and difficulty in the treatment of recalcitrant infections. Distinguishing T. indotineae from other Trichophyton species based on morphological features is impossible and DNA sequencing is necessary for accurate identification.

Increasing and Alarming Prevalence of Trichophyton indotineae as the Primary Causal Agent of Skin Dermatophytosis in Iran.

Background: Trichophyton indotineae, formerly described as T. mentagrophytes rDNA-ITS genotype VIII, has recently been identified as a novel species within the T. mentagrophytes complex.

Clinical evaluation of β-tubulin real-time PCR for rapid diagnosis of dermatophytosis, a comparison with mycological methods.

Following our previous report on evaluation of the beta tubulin real-time PCR for detection of dermatophytosis, this study aimed to compare the real-time PCR assay with conventional methods for the clinical assessment of its diagnostic performance. Samples from a total of 853 patients with suspected dermatophyte lesions were subjected to direct examination (all samples), culture (499 samples) and real-time PCR (all samples). Fungal DNA was extracted directly from clinical samples using a conical steel bullet, followed by purification with a commercial kit and subjected to the Taq-Man probe-based real-time PCR.

Growing Incidence of Non-Dermatophyte Onychomycosis in Tehran, Iran.

Background: Non-dermatophyte onychomycosis (NDO) is caused by a wide range of mold fungi other than dermatophytes, and has been reported at various rates in different countries worldwide. Studies on the incidence of NDO in the community are essential for understanding its epidemiology and control, as well as for the appropriate treatment of these infections.

Objectives: In this study, the incidence of NDO in Tehran, Iran, was compared to the incidence of onychomycoses due to dermatophytes and yeasts.

In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles of Candida albicans Complex Isolated from Patients with Respiratory Infections.

Candidiasis, the main opportunistic fungal infection has been increased over the past decades. This study aimed to characterize C.albicans species complex (C.

Phylogenetic analysis of dermatophyte species using DNA sequence polymorphism in calmodulin gene.

Use of phylogenetic species concepts based on rDNA internal transcribe spacer (ITS) regions have improved the taxonomy of dermatophyte species; however, confirmation and refinement using other genes are needed. Since the calmodulin gene has not been systematically used in dermatophyte taxonomy, we evaluated its intra- and interspecies sequence variation as well as its application in identification, phylogenetic analysis, and taxonomy of 202 strains of 29 dermatophyte species. A set of primers was designed and optimized to amplify the target followed by bilateral sequencing.

Laser irradiation on growth of trichophyton rubrum: an in vitro study.

Introduction: Trichophyton rubrum is one of the most common species of dermatophytes which affects superficial keratinous tissue. It is not especially virulent but it can be responsible for considerable morbidity. Although there are different therapeutic modalities to treat fungal infections, clinicians are searching for alternative treatment because of the various side effects of the present therapeutic methods.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of beta tubulin gene in a wide range of dermatophytes.

We investigated the resolving power of the beta tubulin protein-coding gene (BT2) for systematic study of dermatophyte fungi. Initially, 144 standard and clinical strains belonging to 26 species in the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton were identified by internal transcribe spacer (ITS) sequencing. Subsequently, BT2 was partially amplified in all strains, and sequence analysis performed after construction of a BT2 database that showed length ranged from approximately 723 (T.

Restriction analysis of β-tubulin gene for differentiation of the common pathogenic dermatophytes.

Background: Identification of dermatophytes at the species level, relying on macro- and microscopic properties of the colonies is time-consuming, questioned in many circumstances, and requires considerable expertise. In this study, we examined the potency of a new genetic marker, β-tubulin (BT2) gene, for differentiation of dermatophytes in an in silico and experimental restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profile.

Methods: The BT2 sequences of dermatophyte species were retrieved from GenBank and analyzed using bioinformatics softwares to choose suitable restriction enzyme(s).

In-vitro Activity of 10 Antifungal Agents against 320 Dermatophyte Strains Using Microdilution Method in Tehran.

Dermatophyte fungi are the etiologic agents of skin infections commonly referred to as ringworm. These infections are not dangerous but as a chronic cutaneous infections they may be difficult to treat and can also cause physical discomfort for patients. They are considered important as a public health problem as well.

A Molecular Epidemiological Survey of Clinically Important Dermatophytes in Iran Based on Specific RFLP Profiles of Beta-tubulin Gene.

Background: Surveillance of dermatophytosis is essential to determine the likely changes in etiological trends and distribution profile of this infection. In this study beta tubulin gene (BT2), was used as the first time in a PCR-RFLP format to clarify the distribution of dermatophytosis agents in some parts of Iran.

Methods: A total of 603 clinical isolates was obtained from 500 patients in Tehran, Isfahan, Mazandaran and Guilan provinces.

Molecular identification and distribution profile of Candida species isolated from Iranian patients.

A total of 855 yeast strains isolated from different clinical specimens, mainly nail (42%) and vulva-vagina (25%) were identified by a set of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). Genomic DNA was extracted from fresh colonies using Whatman FTA Card technology. PCR assays were performed on the complete ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (rDNA-ITS) region for all isolates and species identification was carried out through their specific electrophoretic profiles after digestion with the enzyme MspI.

Molecular epidemiology of dermatophytosis in Tehran, Iran, a clinical and microbial survey.

In the framework of a survey on dermatophytoses, 14,619 clinical specimens taken from outpatients with symptoms suggestive of tinea and referred to a Medical Mycology laboratory in Tehran, Iran, were analyzed by direct microscopy and culture. In total, 777 dermatophyte strains recovered in culture were randomly identified by a formerly established RFLP analysis method based on the rDNA ITS regions. For confirmation of species identification, 160 isolates representing the likely entire species spectrum were subjected to ITS-sequencing.

Discrimination of Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton equinum by PCR-RFLP and by β-tubulin and translation elongation factor 1-α sequencing.

Trichophyton tonsurans and T. equinum are two closely related sister species of dermatophytes, but differ in their preferred hosts, i.e.

A case of onychomycosis caused by Aspergillus candidus.

Based on epidemiological studies, Aspergillus candidus has been demonstrated as an emerging fungal agent of toenail onychomycosis. Here we report a case of a toenail infection caused by A. candidus in a healthy 60-year-old woman.

Multilocus differentiation of the related dermatophytes Microsporum canis, Microsporum ferrugineum and Microsporum audouinii.

Microsporum ferrugineum, an uncommon causative agent of dermatophytosis, has restricted endemicity. Iranian strains suspected to be M. ferrugineum from two patients with tinea were analysed using the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the partial β-tubulin (BT2) and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) genes.