Human adaptation and diversification in the Microsporum canis complex
Xin Zhou,
Sarah A. Ahmed,
Chao Tang,
Maria Eduarda Grisolia,
José Francisco Ghignatti Warth,
Kristen Webster,
Andrea Peano,
Silke Uhrlass,
Claudia Cafarchia,
Marie Pierre Hayette,
Rosalie Sacheli,
Tadeja Matos,
Yingqian Kang,
G. Sybren de Hoog,
Peiying Feng
Affiliations
Xin Zhou
Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital
Sarah A. Ahmed
Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital
Chao Tang
Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital
Maria Eduarda Grisolia
Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná
José Francisco Ghignatti Warth
Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Graduate Program, Federal University of Paraná
Kristen Webster
Department of Dermatology, Center for Medical Mycology, University Hospitals
Andrea Peano
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin
Silke Uhrlass
Labor für Medizinische Mikrobiologie Nenoff / Krüger
Claudia Cafarchia
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro
Marie Pierre Hayette
Belgian National Reference Center, Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital of Liege
Rosalie Sacheli
Belgian National Reference Center, Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital of Liege
Tadeja Matos
Medical Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana
Yingqian Kang
Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education of Guizhou & Guizhou Talent Base for Microbiology and Human Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou, Guizhou Medical University
G. Sybren de Hoog
Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital
Peiying Feng
Department of Dermatology, 3rd Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-senen University
Abstract The Microsporum canis complex consists of one zoophilic species, M. canis, and two anthropophilic species, M. audouinii and M. ferrugineum. These species are the most widespread zoonotic pathogens causing dermatophytosis in cats and humans worldwide. To clarify the evolutionary relationship between the three species and explore the potential host shift process, this study used phylogenetic analysis, population structure analysis, multispecies coalescent analyses, determination of MAT idiomorph distribution, sexual crosses, and macromorphology and physicochemical features to address the above questions. The complex of Microsporum canis, M. audouinii and M. ferrugineum comprises 12 genotypes. MAT1-1 was present only in M. canis, while the anthropophilic entities contained MAT1-2. The pseudocleistothecia were yielded by the mating behaviour of M. canis and M. audouinii. Growth rates and lipase, keratinolysis and urea hydrolytic capacities of zoophilic M. canis isolates were all higher than those of anthropophilic strains; DNase activity of M. ferrugineum exceeded that of M. canis. The optimum growth temperature was 28 °C, but 22 °C favoured the development of macroconidia. Molecular data, physicochemical properties and phenotypes suggest the adaptation of zoophilic M. canis to anthropophilic M. ferrugineum, with M. audouinii in an intermediate position.
