Isolation and Characterization of Some Fungi Associated with Superficial Fungal Infections

Abstract

Dermatophytosis (syn. ringworm, tinea) is a zoonotic disease caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. Dermatophytosis has a worldwide distribution. It is the most frequent mycotic infection in both humans and animals [1]. Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton are the main genera of dermatophytes. Based on their ecology, they are classified into anthropophilic, geophilic and zoophilic. They can directly infect human through a contact with the infested animal or human and indirectly by acquiring the infective materials from the environment [2]. The infection mainly occurs in young camels less than three years [3]. Trichophyton and Microsporum genera are responsible for the majority of human infections causing more virulent disease when the infection are transmitted from animal to human than that transmitted from human to human [4]. Outbreaks of Trichophyton infection transmitted from cattle to humans are also reported [5]. Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp) is the most common fungal infection in children. More than 90% of the infections are caused by Trichophyton tonsurans, and fewer than 5% are caused by Microsporum species [6].