Picture 45
This picture shows Trichophyton rubrum.
Trichophyton rubrum
Morphology: Microconidia may be numerous or scanty and are oval, slender, elongated and are borne along the side of the hyphae and not in clusters. Macroconidia are rare in floccose strain. They are logn cylindrical and have thin, smooth walls.
Route of transmission: Direct contact
Investigations: KOH smear and culture from skin scrapings, discoloured hairs and kerototic debris
Diseases:
Infects, grows and remains confined to keratinous structures in the body.
1. Foot infection (Athlete's foot, tinea pedis), the hands are less commonly infected
2. Scalp infection (tinea capitis), can sometimes lead to an intense baggy suppuration known as a kerion
3. Nail infection (onychomycosis, tinea unguium) presents as white, discoloured nails or chalky, crumbling nails
Treatment:
Topical antifungals, eg. clotrimazole, miconazole, or ketoconazole for mild infections.
Systemic griseofulvin for more severe or unresponsive cases.
Oral ketoconazole for cases unresponsive to griseofulvin.