Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Trichophyton mentagrophytes is a keratinophylic fungus belonging to a homogeneous group of fungi called the dermatophytes. The dermatophytes cause a variety of cutaneous infections in humans and animals. T. mentagrophytes has at least five different variants which make up the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex.

 Two perfect states Arthroderma benhamiae and Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii have been ascribed for T. mentagrophytes. The organism has variable characteristics with anthropophilic form producing sparse aerial mycelium with numerous spores. The zoophilic isolate produces powdery or granular colonies. Microscopically the most consistent feature of T. mentagrophytes is the production of globose microaleuriospores arranged in grape-like clusters.