Perspectives on misidentification of Trichophyton interdigitale/Trichophyton mentagrophytes using internal transcribed spacer region sequencing: Urgent need to update the sequence database

Mycoses. 2019 Jan;62(1):11-15. doi: 10.1111/myc.12865. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Abstract

The taxonomy of the dermatophytes has been revisited using a novel multilocus phylogenetic approach, and several neotypes and reference strains have been assigned for Trichophyton species. Single gene sequencing, that is the ITS region, for identification of highly related species T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale, warrant reassessment. The sequence database (Westerdijk and NCBI) needs to be updated as several incorrect/obsolete entries of reference and neotype strains of T. interdigitale/T. mentagrophytes hampers correct identification of this complex.

Keywords: Trichophyton interdigitale/ mentagrophytes; India; multigene phylogeny; tinea corporis; tinea cruris.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA, Fungal / chemistry
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Tinea / diagnosis*
  • Tinea / microbiology*
  • Trichophyton / classification*
  • Trichophyton / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer

Associated data

  • GENBANK/MH990799
  • GENBANK/MH990859