Medical mycology最新文献

{"title":"Effect of postbiotics on biofilm formation and gene expression in Candida spp. isolates from patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.","authors":"Jeiser Marcelo Consuegra-Asprilla, Mariana González-Idarraga, Santiago Montoya-Carrascal, Dulce Xiomara Tello-Tobón, Andrés Abril Gómez, Flaviano Santos Martins, Ángel González","doi":"10.1093/mmy/myag061","DOIUrl":"10.1093/mmy/myag061","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>First-line treatment for vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) has reduced efficacy in patients with recurrent VVC (RVVC), prompting the search for therapeutic alternatives such as probiotics. Recently, postbiotics (cellular components and metabolites derived from probiotics) have gained relevance because they offer similar benefits to probiotics without the risks associated with live microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-biofilm effect of cell-free supernatants (CFSs) derived from probiotic strains against Candida spp. isolates from patients with RVVC, as well as their impact on the expression of genes associated with biofilm formation. Therefore, the anti-biofilm activity of CFSs from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus DM-UFMG 63, Bifidobacterium longum 5,1A and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM SD 5221 was evaluated in 40 Candida spp. isolates. The CFSs from L. acidophilus NCFM SD 5221 and Lc. rhamnosus 63 were analyzed using the XTT assay, and their effect on gene expression was measured by qPCR. At an estimated protein concentration of ∼200 μg/ml, these CFSs significantly inhibited biofilm formation by ∼ 50% (P < .01)). This phenotypic effect correlated with the downregulation of key biofilm-associated genes (ALS3, HWP1, EFG1, TEC1, and UME6), alongside a concomitant upregulation of the transcriptional repressor NRG1. The findings of this study demonstrate that CFSs derived from Lc. rhamnosus DM-UFMG 63 and L. acidophilus NCFM SD 5221 exhibit significant antagonistic activity against biofilm formation in clinical isolates from patients with RVVC. Consequently, these CFSs represent a promising therapeutic and prophylactic alternative for the management of RVVC.</p>","PeriodicalId":18586,"journal":{"name":"Medical mycology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13285873/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148218344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal variations in mold identification in medical microbiology laboratories using MSI-2 application, France (2020-2024).","authors":"Arnaud Jabet, Anne-Cécile Normand, Laurence Delhaes, Pierre-Yves Boelle, Pamela Chauvin, Maria-Alexandra Stoica, Laurence Lachaud, Frédéric Dalle, Lilia Hasseine, Juliette Guitard, Yaye Senghor, Christine Bonnal, Marie Lavollay, Caroline Mahinc, Christine Schuttler, Anne-Pauline Bellanger, Noémie Coron, Françoise Botterel, Cécile Garnaud, Eric Dannaoui, Lucie Limousin, Antoine Huguenin, Edith Mazars, Aymeric Coutard, Jean-Pierre Gangneux, Guillaume Laurent, Damien Dupont, Solene Le Gal, Sébastien Larréché, Chrystelle Darles, Boualem Sendid, Sophie Brun, Fabienne Artur, Taieb Chouaki, Patrice Le Pape, Nicolas Bruffaerts, Pierre Becker, Arnaud Fekkar, Renaud Piarroux","doi":"10.1093/mmy/myag059","DOIUrl":"10.1093/mmy/myag059","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Molds are ubiquitous environmental microorganisms with major implications for human health, ranging from allergic reactions to invasive infections. Although the environmental seasonality of several fungal spores has long been recognized, its reflection in clinical isolates remains poorly explored. A total of 218 682 fungal spectra generated by 97 medical microbiology laboratories across France between 2020 and 2024 were analyzed, based on identifications performed using the MSI-2 Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization - Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) web platform. Seasonal patterns were assessed through additive decomposition, autocorrelation, and formal statistical testing. Distinct seasonal variation patterns were identified across taxa. Significant seasonality was detected for multiple taxa, including Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus sections Nigri and Flavi, Talaromyces, several taxa of Basidiomycota, and Rhizopus arrhizus. Positive or negative correlations between fungal identification counts and national mean temperature values were observed depending on the taxon. This study highlights the importance of considering seasonality in understanding the epidemiology of fungal diseases and demonstrates the value of multicenter MALDI-TOF MS data as a tool for epidemiological surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":18586,"journal":{"name":"Medical mycology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148163782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing laboratory capacity for diagnosis of fungal infections in France: A multicentre survey within the SINFONI network.","authors":"Florent Morio, Alexandre Alanio, Karine Boukris-Sitbon, Dea Garcia-Hermoso, Eric Dannaoui, Laurence Millon, Olivier Lortholary, Thomas Obadia, Timothée Boyer-Chammard, Taieb Chouaki, Marc Pihet, Joséphine Dorin, Anne-Pauline Bellanger, Sophie Brun, Maxime Lefranc, Iona Chateau, Julie Bonhomme, Maxime Moniot, Françoise Botterel, Louise Basmaciyan, Fréderic Dalle, Cécile Garnaud, Fakhri Jeddi, Marwan Haboub, Laure Kamus, Claire Chassagne, Séverine Loridant, Marjorie Cornu, Marie-Fleur Durieux, Nicole Desbois-Nogard, Grégoire Pasquier, Claire Cottrel, Olivier Moquet, Lilia Hasseine, Milene Sasso, Laura Courtellemont, Christine Bonnal, Célia Rouges, Arnaud Fekkar, Maud Gits-Muselli, Yaye Senghor, Juliette Guitard, Estelle Cateau, Antoine Huguenin, Hélène Guegan, Maria-Alexandra Stoica, Celine Tournus, Caroline Mahinc, Valérie Letscher-Bru, Lucie Limousin, Emilie Guemas, Gabrielle Roosen, Guillaume Desoubeaux, Vincent Thomas, Marie-Liesse Pacreau, Elisabeth Chachaty, Fanny Lanternier, Marie Desnos-Ollivier","doi":"10.1093/mmy/myag050","DOIUrl":"10.1093/mmy/myag050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Invasive fungal diseases are life-threatening complications, particularly in immunocompromised patients, and require rapid and accurate diagnosis to improve clinical outcomes. Although major advances in fungal diagnostics that includes antigen detection, molecular assays, and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization - Time Of Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, have transformed diagnostic strategies, access to these tools remains heterogeneous. In France, national data on diagnostic capacities for invasive fungal diseases have been lacking. Using the framework of the national prospective surveillance program for invasive fungal diseases (SINFONI network), we conducted a survey to assess laboratory diagnostic practices in France. A secured 116-item questionnaire was distributed to 58 participating laboratories, of which 48 responded (83%). Automated blood culture systems and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for yeast identification were universally available, with 40 (83%) of the 48 participating laboratories also using MALDI-TOF for mould identification. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed on-site in 47 (98%) centres for yeasts and in 37 (77%) for moulds. Antigen-based biomarkers were widely available on-site, particularly cryptococcal antigen (n = 43, 90%) and Aspergillus galactomannan (n = 39, 81%), whereas β-D-glucan testing was available in only 26 (54%) of the centres. PCR-based diagnostics were implemented on-site in 43 (88%) centres, most commonly for Pneumocystis jirovecii, Aspergillus spp., and Mucorales. Systematic screening for Candidozyma auris colonization in at-risk patients was performed in 30 (63%) centres, predominantly using culture-based methods (n = 24). Overall, this survey provides the first national overview of diagnostic capacities for invasive fungal diseases in France, highlighting a strong laboratory mycology infrastructure while identifying remaining gaps in access to specific biomarkers, molecular assays, and mould antifungal susceptibility testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":18586,"journal":{"name":"Medical mycology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147942209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CAMEO-a cross-sectional survey study on candidemia management in Germany.","authors":"Ilana Reinhold, Jon Salmanton-García, Janina Leckler, Jannik Stemler, Albert Wahl, Oliver A Cornely, Danila Seidel, Rosanne Sprute","doi":"10.1093/mmy/myag038","DOIUrl":"10.1093/mmy/myag038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Candida species cause life-threatening bloodstream infections, particularly in critically ill and immunocompromised patients. Although guideline adherence has been shown to improve outcomes, real-world implementation is often constrained. This cross-sectional, web-based survey evaluated current clinical practices and barriers in candidemia management across German healthcare institutions. A structured questionnaire based on the EQUAL Candida score was disseminated online from 10/2023 to 07/2025. Physicians involved in candidemia management reported institutional characteristics, diagnostic practices, antifungal treatment strategies, central line management, and follow-up practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square testing. A total of 217 physicians from 147 institutions participated, with 74.5% of participants affiliated with large care facilities. Caspofungin was the predominant first-line therapy (81.4%), whereas fluconazole was used by 5.3% of participants. First-line choice did not differ by years of clinical experience (P = 0.194). Echocardiography was routinely performed by 57% of participants; selective use showed no association with years of clinical experience (P = 0.845) or annual number of candidemia cases (P = 0.089). Ophthalmoscopy was performed routinely by 37% of participants and showed no association with experience (P = 0.907), but was significantly associated with lower annual caseload (P = 0.02) and infectious disease speciality (P = 0.003). Central line removal or replacement within 24 h was reported by 82.5%. Follow-up blood cultures were obtained daily by 31.4%, while 54.8% repeated cultures every 48 h. While core candidemia management practices are generally well implemented in German healthcare institutions, certain recommended diagnostic steps remain underutilized. Targeted educational and structural interventions are needed to strengthen guideline adherence and optimize patient outcomes across diverse settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":18586,"journal":{"name":"Medical mycology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13156905/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147776120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Microsporidia, in wild small mammals from Portugal.","authors":"Andreia V S Cruz, Hélia M Vale-Gonçalves, Joana Paupério, Ricardo Pita, Sérgio Santos-Silva, Laura Lux, Rainer G Ulrich, Paulo Célio Alves, Juan José Luque-Larena, João Queirós, João R Mesquita","doi":"10.1093/mmy/myag035","DOIUrl":"10.1093/mmy/myag035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a widespread endoparasite, commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and various vertebrate and invertebrate animals. It is the most common cause of microsporidiosis in humans, particularly among immunosuppressed individuals. Given the limited epidemiological data in Portugal, this study aimed to estimate the occurrence of E. bieneusi, perform genetic characterization, and explore its circulation dynamics in small mammal populations of Trás-os-Montes region. A total of 294 faecal samples from rodents and shrews non-invasively collected were analysed using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the internal transcribed spacer region and flanking ribosomal RNA coding sequences of E. bieneusi. The parasite DNA was detected in two rodent samples: wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and Lusitanian pine vole (Microtus lusitanicus), corresponding to an overall occurrence of 0.68%. Our findings represent the first report of E. bieneusi in Lusitanian pine vole and the first detection of this parasite in small mammals from Portugal. Both samples belonged to the zoonotic Group 1, with one identified as genotype C. These findings provide baseline data on the distribution and host range of E. bieneusi in Portuguese wildlife and may guide future surveillance efforts within a One Health framework.</p>","PeriodicalId":18586,"journal":{"name":"Medical mycology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147699090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gaps in fungal disease diagnostics and availability of antifungals: A nationwide survey of hospital laboratories in Peru.","authors":"Claudia Banda, Edgar Neyra, Romina Rios-Blanco, Patricia Espinoza-Lopez, Nicolas Antunez de Mayolo, Mariana Minei Ogata, Beatriz Bustamante","doi":"10.1093/mmy/myag032","DOIUrl":"10.1093/mmy/myag032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fungal infections remain an underrecognized public health threat in Peru. This study aimed to map the current laboratory diagnostic capacity for fungal diseases across Peru and identify potential barriers to timely and effective diagnosis. A cross-sectional electronic survey of 42 hospital laboratories was conducted from December 2021 to August 2022, evaluating infrastructure, personnel, diagnostic tests, sample volumes, quality assurance, and training. Descriptive and exploratory comparative analyses were performed by location (Lima vs. other regions) using Wilcoxon rank-sum, Fisher's exact tests, and Holm adjustments. Among surveyed laboratories, 28.6% were in Lima and 71.4% in other regions. Lima hospitals were more likely to be Level III-2 institutions (50% vs. 3.3%). Structural gaps were common: only 26% had dedicated mycology areas, and more than half reported ≤ 20 m² of workspace. Lima laboratories tended to have larger facilities, more automated equipment, and more staff. Only 36% participated in external quality assessments, and 17% reported mycology training activities. Microscopy was widely available, but advanced tools were scarce: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used in 4.8% of laboratories, and serology in one. No laboratory performed DNA sequencing. Mold identification relied primarily on morphology. In-vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was available in 43%, mostly for yeast, and access to key antifungals was inconsistent, with better availability in Lima. Substantial gaps in infrastructure, diagnostic capacity, training, and drug access, particularly outside Lima, underscore the need for strengthened mycology services to improve fungal disease diagnosis and care in Peru.</p>","PeriodicalId":18586,"journal":{"name":"Medical mycology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147776083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First report of terbinafine resistance in human dermatophytosis in Uruguay.","authors":"Carlos Andrés Puime, Victoria Bórmida, Michel Rosas","doi":"10.1093/mmy/myag039","DOIUrl":"10.1093/mmy/myag039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trichophyton rubrum and the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex are the leading etiologic agents of human dermatophytosis. Terbinafine remains the first-line therapy for most dermatophyte infections; however, resistant strains have been increasingly reported worldwide, and the first cases of T. indotineae in Latin America have recently been reported. To update the limited regional information on Trichophyton spp. terbinafine resistance, we conducted a prospective laboratory study in Montevideo, Uruguay, from July 2023 to July 2024, using samples obtained through routine dermatological practice. Isolates were identified by morphological analysis and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). Terbinafine-resistant (TerR) clinical isolates were screened with the terbinafine-containing agar medium (TCAM) method, and their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for terbinafine and itraconazole were determined using the European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) broth microdilution method. The squalene epoxidase gene (SQLE) of TerR isolates was sequenced to detect resistance-associated mutations. Of 1252 processed samples, 543 were positive by microscopic examination and 281 by culture. Dermatophytes were identified in 231 of 281 positive cultures. The predominant species were T. rubrum (74.9%) and the T. mentagrophytes complex (19.9%), together accounting for 94.8% of isolates. Terbinafine susceptibility screening was performed on 171 isolates; 4 (2.34%) were resistant, with MICs ≥ 1 mg/l. Sequenced SQLE revealing amino acid substitutions at positions 393 or 397 in three T. rubrum and one T. mentagrophytes complex isolates. This study identifies the terbinafine resistance-associated mutations in Uruguay and highlights the urgent need for regional surveillance of this emerging phenomenon.</p>","PeriodicalId":18586,"journal":{"name":"Medical mycology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147776151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Profiling medical mycologists: Results from a global survey of the ESCMID Fungal Infection Study Group (EFISG).","authors":"Jon Salmanton-García, Katrien Lagrou, Fanny Lanternier, Malcolm Richardson, Robina Aerts, Antonio Vena","doi":"10.1093/mmy/myag037","DOIUrl":"10.1093/mmy/myag037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of morbi-mortality, particularly in immunocompromised and critically ill patients. Increasing antifungal resistance, unequal access to diagnostics and therapies, and complex host-pathogen interactions highlight the need for coordinated research. The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Fungal Infection Study Group (EFISG) addresses these challenges by promoting multidisciplinary collaboration and advancing research and education in medical mycology. This study aimed to characterize the global medical mycology workforce using EFISG as a representative international network. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among EFISG members between June and December 2025. The survey collected data on demographics, geographic distribution, professional background, career stage, research interests, language proficiency, and involvement in other scientific societies and ESCMID study groups. A total of 342 members from 72 countries responded, representing two-thirds of all countries with EFISG membership. Most participants were based in Europe (60%). Sex distribution was balanced, and all career stages were included, with 22.8% early-career professionals and 14.6% trainees. Key research interests included epidemiology of fungal infections (68.4%), mycoses in immunocompromised hosts (67.5%), development of diagnostic methods (54.4%), and rare and emerging fungal diseases (54.1%). Infectious disease specialists (52.3%) and microbiologists (42.4%) comprised the majority of respondents, and most reported active participation in other ESCMID study groups and scientific societies. These findings provide the first structured overview of the medical mycology workforce, identifying gaps in representation, training, and emerging research areas, with implications for global capacity building, collaboration, and strategic planning beyond EFISG.</p>","PeriodicalId":18586,"journal":{"name":"Medical mycology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147699136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of three culture media for testing susceptibility of Malassezia pachydermatis to four antifungal agents by a microdilution method and gradient diffusion strips.","authors":"Maria Dolores Sánchez, Nathalie Clément, Agathe Cailleau, Céline David, Nadine Brisseau, Anne Lehébel, Faraj Fajloun, Jacques Guillot, Antoine Rostang","doi":"10.1093/mmy/myag036","DOIUrl":"10.1093/mmy/myag036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The yeast Malassezia pachydermatis frequently causes otitis externa and dermatitis in dogs and cats. This often requires prolonged antifungal therapy, raising concerns about reduced susceptibility. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) for Malassezia spp. remains challenging because many protocols require complex lipid supplementation and are difficult to implement in routine veterinary settings. Here, we compared three culture media for AFST of M. pachydermatis: (i) a complex, lipid-enriched RPMI formulation (RPMI1); (ii) a simplified RPMI formulation supplemented with Tween 40 and Tween 80 (RPMI2); and (iii) a Sabouraud dextrose medium supplemented with Tween 80 (SD). Forty-nine canine clinical isolates were tested against ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole and terbinafine using a colorimetric broth microdilution approach and a gradient diffusion method on solid media (EzyMIC®). RPMI1 broth was unstable after freezing, resulting in weak or ambiguous resazurin readings and frequent data exclusions, and the solid formulation of RPMI1 was unsuitable for reliable gradient diffusion interpretation. By contrast, RPMI2 medium provided consistent minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determinations for azoles in both solid and liquid media, with comparable MIC values. Conversely, terbinafine MICs were frequently elevated in RPMI-based liquid media, often exceeding the upper testing range, whereas lower and more readily interpretable MIC values were obtained on SD agar, suggesting medium-dependent effects on terbinafine assessment. The results obtained with SD media on azoles were more heterogeneous. Overall, RPMI2 offered a practical and reproducible option for azole susceptibility testing of M. pachydermatis, while terbinafine results may require cautious interpretation depending on the testing medium.</p>","PeriodicalId":18586,"journal":{"name":"Medical mycology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147699150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genomic characterization of sexually transmitted Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII causing genital dermatophytosis in Italy.","authors":"Valeria Gaspari, Giulia Lombardi, Claudio Foschi, Donatella Lombardo, Raul Cetatean, Andrea Liberatore, Eva Caterina Borgatti, Jessica Landi, Benedetta Secci, Gionathan Orioni, Tiziana Lazzarotto, Simone Ambretti","doi":"10.1093/mmy/myag046","DOIUrl":"10.1093/mmy/myag046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dermatophytes are among the most common causes of superficial fungal infections worldwide. In recent years, an increasing number of cases of sexually transmitted dermatophytosis have been reported in Europe, mainly associated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII. Genomic data on circulating strains remain limited, particularly in Southern Europe. In this study, we described three cases of sexually transmitted dermatophytosis caused by T. mentagrophytes genotype VII diagnosed in Italy and characterized using whole genome sequencing. Skin scale samples were collected from genital/perigenital lesions and processed for mycological culture, antifungal susceptibility testing, and genomic analysis. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequencing confirmed the identification of genotype VII in all isolates. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences and phylogenomic analysis based on core genome single nucleotide polymorphisms consistently showed that the three isolates clustered within the genotype VII lineage and were closely related to previously described European strains. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed low Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for extended-spectrum triazoles (voriconazole and posaconazole) and amphotericin B. Genomic analysis demonstrated that all isolates carried the wild-type SQLE gene, with no mutations associated with terbinafine resistance. Sequence variations were observed in several members of the MEP protease gene family and in the ZafA transcription factor gene. These findings confirm the presence of sexually transmitted T. mentagrophytes genotype VII in Italy and support the hypothesis that this genotype is an emerging cause of dermatophytosis in Europe. The integration of genomic approaches with clinical and epidemiological data may improve the understanding of transmission dynamics and help identify potential outbreaks.</p>","PeriodicalId":18586,"journal":{"name":"Medical mycology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147863916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}