Molecular identification of Trichophyton mentagrophytes isolated from tinea corporis in Kirkuk City, Iraq

This study used to be conducted in the Graduate Studies Laboratory at the College of Science, Kirkuk University in Iraq from 11/7/2021 to 25/5/2022 with the aim of investigating the fungi causing motive pores and skin ailments, i.e., dermatomycosis in the human physique (tinea corporis) and the incidence of Trichophyton mentagrophytes. A total of 120 samples were collected from sufferers referred to the Dermatology Consultant at Azadi Teaching Hospital and some non-public clinics in Kirkuk, age groups ranging from 1 to 60 years and both genders. All samples were examined and recognized using traditional methods and using culture media for the fungi. The direct microscopic examination of the fungi showed positive results, with an infection rate of 66.66%, while the laboratory culture showed positive results, with 49.16%. The results of the phenotypic examinations of the isolated dermatophytes showed that they belong to the two genera, Trichophyton and Microsporum. The results showed that Trichophyton was the most diagnosed specimen compared to Microsporum. The least patient specimen was diagnosed, and 5 species of Trichophyton were isolated, T. mentagrophytes exhibited the highest prevalence (9.2%), while the lowest belonged to T. interdigitale (2.5%). In the case of Microsporum, two species were isolated, so that, the infection rate of males (33.33%) was higher than that of females (15.83%). The result showed the highest infection rate of T. mentagrophytes in the age group 21-30 years, while the lowest among the group 50-61. After final identification of T. mentagrophytes by PCR, the consequences of the PCR assay were sent to the Genebank website to verify the kind of fungus through comparing it with the fungi registered at this site.