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Infectious disease

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Pathogens microsporium (Microsporum)

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024

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Microsporia (synonym: ringworm) is a highly contagious skin disease, mainly of children, caused by fungi of the genus Microsporum. Distinguish between the microsporia of the scalp and the smooth skin microsporia . It affects mainly the scalp (skin, hair ), rarely the nails. Around the hair, clutches or cases of mosaic spores are formed (such as "ecto- and endogrubok"). The source of the disease can serve people, animals and soil.

The causative agent zooantroponozno and microsporia M. Canis causes disease in cats, dogs and humans. Often mushrooms are asymptomatic in the skin of animals. The incubation period is 5-7 days. The pure fungus culture consists of septate mycelium, rounded chlamydospores and thick-walled multicellular spindle-shaped macroconidia with spines.

The causative agents of the anthroponic microsporium M. Audouinii, M. Ferrugineum affect almost only humans. The incubation period is 4-6 weeks. The pure culture of M. Audouinii consists of a wide (4-5 μm) septate mycelium, chlamydospores (diameter about 30 μm) and arthrospores. Macro- and microconidia are rare. The pure culture of M. Ferrugineum is represented by branched septate mycelium, arthrospores and chlamydospores.

Geofiles (M cookei, M, fulvum, M. Nanur) live in the soil and are transmitted by contact with it. For example, Microsporum gypseum is transmitted by treating the soil with bare hands, causing a microsporium of gardeners. M. Gypseum causes a purulent-inflammatory process of the scalp (keryon), terminating after 8 weeks with moderate scarring.

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