Trichophyton ajelloi

Teleomorph: Arthroderma uncinatum

Colonies are usually flat, powdery, cream to tan to orange-tan in colour, with a blackish-purple submerged fringe and reverse. Macroconidia are numerous, smooth, thick-walled, elongate, cigar-shaped, 29 to 65 by 5 to 10 um, and multiseptate with up to 9 or 10 septa. Microconidia are usually absent, but when present are ovate to pyriform in shape.  RG-1 organism.

Culture of Trichophyton ajelloi.

Macroconidia of T. ajelloi.

Clinical significance:

Trichophyton ajelloi is a geophilic fungus with a world-wide distribution which may occur as a saprophytic contaminant on humans and animals. Infections in man and animals doubtful. Not known to invade hair in vivo, but produces hair perforations in vitro.

Mycosis: Dermatophytosis

Further reading:

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