Mating type gene for isolates of Trichophyton mentagrophytes from guinea pigs

J Dermatol. 2014 Aug;41(8):743-5. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.12575.

Abstract

Trichophyton mentagrophytes were isolated from 19 of 20 guinea pigs in a children’s corner of a zoo. The nucleotide sequence identity of the internal transcribed spacer region among 19 guinea pig isolates was 99%, including the reference strain of animal type 3 of T. mentagrophytes. The genomic DNA of all isolates were investigated for the mating (MAT) gene by specific polymerase chain reaction. The alpha-box gene was detected in all 19 isolates, while the high-mobility-group (HMG) gene was detected in only one of 19 isolates. Therefore, the guinea pig population harbored at least 2 MAT types of Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii. The T. mentagrophytes that was prevalent in this population may constitute a constant source of infection for persons coming into contact with guinea pigs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo / microbiology
  • Child
  • Genes, Mating Type, Fungal*
  • Guinea Pigs / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Rabbits
  • Tinea / microbiology
  • Tinea / prevention & control
  • Tinea / transmission
  • Trichophyton / genetics*
  • Trichophyton / isolation & purification*
  • Trichophyton / pathogenicity
  • Zoonoses / microbiology
  • Zoonoses / prevention & control
  • Zoonoses / transmission