title: Is Trichophyton simii endemic to the Indian subcontinent?
abstract: Trichophyton simii is considered to be prevalent only in the Indian subcontinent where it was isolated from soil, as well as from infections of humans and animals. We have investigated a case of onychomycosis caused by this exotic dermatophyte, not traceable to endemic areas. This case, as in others due to this fungus in man or animals, that have been previously and sporadically reported worldwide, suggests infections caused by T. simii might be underestimated, especially outside its primary geographic areas. Indeed, there are isolates that do not show species-specific morphology, as in our case isolate, and as a result may be misidentified by classical methods. By checking the identity of some strains preserved in the collection BCCM/IHEM, we found several that proved to be T. simii, originating from non-endemic areas (Belgium, France and Ivory Coast). Therefore, the natural distribution of T. simii is probably not as restricted as has previously been proposed.
authors.affiliation: Scientific Institute of Public Health, Mycology & Aerobiology Service, J. Wytsmanstreet 14, B-1050 Brussels. hugues.beguin@wiv-isp.be
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beguin
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goens
authors.forename: Marijke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hendrickx
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Planard
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stubbe
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Detandt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001530:Belgium; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D013172:Spores, Fungal; D000077291:Terbinafine; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D009281:Naphthalenes; D000077291:Terbinafine