Microsporum gallinae

Colonies (SDA) are flat with a suede-like texture and are white in colour with a pinkish tinge. Some cultures show radial folding. An orange-pink “strawberry-coloured” reverse pigment is usually present. Macroconidia when present are usually five- to six-celled, thin to thick-walled, slightly echinulate, cylindrical to clavate with narrow base and blunt tip, 15-60 x 6-10 µm. Microconidia are ovoidal to pyriform in shape. RG-2 organism.

Chicken infection and culture of Microsporum gallinae.

Macroconidia of M. gallinae.

Key Features: macroconidial morphology, culture characteristics and clinical lesions in chickens.

Clinical significance:

A zoophilic fungus causing fowl favus in chickens and other fowl, affecting the comb and wattles producing "white comb" lesions. A rare cause of tinea in human. Invaded hairs show a sparse ectothrix infection but do not fluoresce under Wood's ultra-violet light.

Mycosis: Dermatophytosis

Further reading:

Rebell, G., and D. Taplin. 1970. The Dermatophytes. 2nd. revised edition. University of Miami Press, Coral Gables, Florida. USA.

Rippon, J.W. 1988. Medical Mycology. 3rd Edition. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, USA.