Identification of clinical isolates of Microsporum canis and M. gypseum by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Southern hybridization analyses.

Abstract

Clinical isolates of Microsporum canis and M. gypseum from humans, dogs and cats were examined by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Southern hybridization analyses. The RAPD band patterns of six clinical isolates of M. canis were identical to those of standard strains of Arthroderma otae. Of nine clinical isolates of M. gypseum seven and two isolates showed RAPD patterns identical to those of standard strains of A. gypseum and A. incurvatum respectively. Southern blot analysis using a probe (C3) obtained from A. otae DNA revealed that six clinical isolates of M. canis showed specific bands identical to those detected in the standard strains of A. otae. Of nine clinical isolates of M. gypseum, seven and two isolates showed bands hybridized by the C3 probe identical to those detected in A. gypseum and A. incurvatum respectively. Furthermore, the results from mating experiments on these nine clinical isolates of M. gypseum showed complete agreement with the results from RAPD and Southern hybridization analyses. These findings clearly indicate that RAPD and Southern hybridization analyses are very useful in the identification of clinical isolates of M. canis and M. gypseum.