Mycology Online The University of Adelaide Australia
Mycology Online
Photo Gallery
Fungal Jungle
Mycoses
Fungal Descriptions
Dermatophytes
Epidermophyton
Microsporum
Trichophyton
Yeasts
Dimorphic Pathogens
Hyphomycetes (hyaline)
Hyphomycetes (dematiaceous)
Coelomycetes
Zygomycetes
Oomycota
Basidiomycetes
Laboratory Methods

School of Molecular & Biomedical Science
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
AUSTRALIA 5005

Contact:
Dr David Ellis

Email


Telephone:
 +61 8 8161 6459
Facsimile:
 +61 8 8161 7589

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.