''Microsporum'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

fungi A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...

that causes

tinea capitis Tinea capitis (also known as "herpes tonsurans", "ringworm of the hair", "ringworm of the scalp", "scalp ringworm", and "tinea tonsurans") is a cutaneous fungal infection ( dermatophytosis) of the scalp. The disease is primarily caused by dermato ...

tinea corporis Tinea corporis is a fungal infection of the body, similar to other forms of tinea. Specifically, it is a type of dermatophytosis (or ringworm) that appears on the arms and legs, especially on glabrous skin; however, it may occur on any superfici ...

ringworm Dermatophytosis, also known as tinea and ringworm, is a mycosis, fungal infection of the skin (a dermatomycosis), that may affect skin, hair, and nails. Typically it results in a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash. Hair loss may occur in the a ...

, and other dermatophytoses (

fungal infection Fungal infection, also known as mycosis, is a disease caused by fungi. Different types are traditionally divided according to the part of the body affected: superficial, subcutaneous, and systemic. Superficial fungal infections include common ...

s of the

skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different ...

). ''Microsporum'' forms both

macroconidia A conidium ( ; : conidia), sometimes termed an asexual chlamydospore or chlamydoconidium (: chlamydoconidia), is an Asexual reproduction, asexual, non-motility, motile spore of a fungus. The word ''conidium'' comes from the Ancient Greek word f ...

(large asexual reproductive structures) and microconidia (smaller asexual reproductive structures) on short conidiophores. Macroconidia are

hyaline A hyaline substance is one with a glassy appearance. The word is derived from , and . Histopathology Hyaline cartilage is named after its glassy appearance on fresh gross pathology. On light microscopy of H&E stained slides, the extracellula ...

, multiseptate, variable in form,

fusiform Fusiform (from Latin ''fusus'' ‘spindle’) means having a spindle (textiles), spindle-like shape that is wide in the middle and tapers at both ends. It is similar to the lemon (geometry), lemon-shape, but often implies a focal broadening of a ...

, spindle-shaped to obovate, 7–20 by 30–160 um in size, with thin or thick echinulate to verrucose cell walls. Their shape, size and cell wall features are important characteristics for species identification. Microconidia are hyaline, single-celled,

pyriform Piriform, sometimes ''pyriform'', means pear-shaped (from Latin ''pirum'' "pear" and ''forma'' "shape"). It may also refer to: Anatomy * Piriform aperture, more commonly known as anterior nasal aperture * Piriform cortex, a region in the brai ...

to clavate, smooth-walled, 2.5–3.5 by 4–7 um in size and are not diagnostic for any one

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

. The separation of this genus from ''

Trichophyton ''Trichophyton'' is a genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV c ...

'' is essentially based on the roughness of the macroconidial cell wall, although in practice this may sometimes be difficult to observe. Seventeen species of ''Microsporum'' have been described; however, only the more common species are included in these descriptions. The keratinolytic properties that ''Microsporum cookei'' possesses suggests that the fungus can alternatively be used for recycling the large amount of industrial keratinic waste.

Species

*'' Microsporum amazonicum'' *'' Microsporum audouinii'' *'' Microsporum boullardii'' *''

Microsporum canis ''Microsporum canis'' is a pathogenic, asexual fungus in the phylum Ascomycota that infects the upper, dead layers of skin on domesticated cats, and occasionally dogs and humans. The species has a worldwide distribution. Taxonomy and evolution ...

'' *''

'' var. ''distortum'' *'' Microsporum cookei'' *'' Microsporum distortum'' *'' Microsporum duboisii'' *'' Microsporum equinum'' *'' Microsporum ferrugineum'' *'' Microsporum fulvum'' *'' Microsporum gallinae'' *'' Microsporum gypseum'' *'' Microsporum langeronii'' *'' Microsporum nanum'' *'' Microsporum persicolor'' *'' Microsporum praecox'' *'' Microsporum ripariae'' *'' Microsporum rivalieri''

References

External links

Doctor FungusMycology Unit at the Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital
Parasitic fungi Arthrodermataceae Eurotiomycetes genera Taxa described in 1843 {{Eurotiomycetes-stub