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Causes ringworm in humans.
Microsporum sp is a gene of fungus that is categorized
under dermatophytes because they cause dermatological
infections. These fungus infect humans and animals alike
though they do not have natural habitat and as such
they are placed under the categories of anthropophilic,
geophilic and zoophilic. Due to the fact that there
are numerous species and strains of this fungus, their
physical appearances important for clinical diagnosis
are these categories define the habits that accommodate
this fungus. There are a total of 17 strains if the
microsporum fungus with each having either an affiliation
to the earth, human or animals such as cats and dogs.
The fungus causes the infection generically known as
dermatophytosis, which is largely common in children.
The various strains of microsporum include Microsporum
canis var canis, which causes ringworm in dogs, cats,
humans. Microsporum canis var distortum, which is attributed
to infection in primates, dogs as well as in cats. Microsporum
audouinii, which is an anthropophilic species causing
infections in domestic animals. Microsporum nanumwhich
is attributed to causing ringworm in pigs and humans
and hardly other animals. Microsporum gypseum a geophilic
variety that results to ringworm in dogs and horses.
Microsporum gallinae is common in chickens and turkeys
where it causes favus. Microsporum persicolor that commonly
infects voles and lastly the Microsporum fulvum, which
affects lions, jaguars, pigs, and goats.
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Microsporum sp is one of the three species
that cause the infection of dermatophytosis. Its pathological
make up is characterized as virulent and acute meaning
that its capacity to multiply and spread in an infected
person or animal is very high and severe. In humans,
this fungus is transmitted through directed or indirect
methods it can also be picked up from the soil as a
geophilic variety or also from infected animals as a
zoophilic variety. The fungus largely infects the keratinous
parts of the body these include the hair, nails and
skin although the nail infections are considered rare.
The fungus has the capacity to destroy and penetrate
the keratin in these parts of the body thus exposing
one to a subsequent fungal infection.
Dermatophytosis, commonly known as ringworms
is the most physical manifestation of the microsporum
sp fungus. As the fungus affects both humans and animals,
rings worms also appear on the skin of both pathological
subjects. Ringworms are dry itchy patches on the skin
that when aggravated become red and moist; they are
literally round and they are generally curable in both
humans and animals and the infection is generally mild
with only just about 20% of infections proving to be
chronic and severe. When the ringworms appear on the
scalp, they may lead to hair loss that may need other
forms of hair loss treatment. Another common manifestation
of the microsporum fungus is the unpleasant athlete’s
foot, which blisters in the foot, which cause itchiness
and makes walking or running a real pain, characterize.
Oral and Topical anti fungal treatments
are the most effective for most of the symptoms of microsporum
sp fungal infection. It is also advisable to keep the
skin dry and to clean in it thoroughly especially after
intense activities. It is also recommended that a change
of socks and underpants be a regular routine.
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