Microsporum is a fungal genus that causes ringworm in humans and animals. It can be carried by pets and grows on mediums like rice and sugar. The infection causes lesions, scabs, and hair loss, and can be treated with antifungal medications. In rare cases, people can carry the fungus without developing lesions.
Microsporum is a fungal genus that is most famously responsible for ringworm, a fungal infection that can be seen in both humans and animals. Microsporum canis is a particularly well-known species in this genus, although several other species are also linked to ringworm and other skin problems in some patients. Microsporum can be carried on cats, dogs and other animals, and the fungus also grows easily on mediums such as rice and sugar.
In the wild, a microsporum colony tends to be flat, spreading in shape, and white to cream in color, depending on the species. Microsporum colonies have a soft, woolly texture and the colony tends to acquire a grooved appearance over time. When grown in the laboratory, mushrooms can grow on a variety of growth media.
These fungi are able to penetrate hair and skin, where they can grow to create the distinctive lesions associated with ringworm. Someone with a microsporum infection will have small reddish disc-shaped marks where the fungi grow, and these marks can spread and start to blur together at other times. Eventually, the marks will develop scabs, which can ooze and become bloody. The hair above the lesion area will fall out, due to the damage caused by the fungal colonization. While these lesions are present, the patient can transmit fungal spores to others. Ringworm infection is an especially common problem in kennels, where one animal can pass it on to the entire kennel and infected animals can continue to reinfect each other.
Treatment for microsporum infection involves the administration of antifungal medications. Medications can be taken by mouth and the site can also be cleaned with antifungal soaps which will kill the fungi so they cannot spread. Eventually, normal skin and hair will grow back, hiding all traces of the infection. Antifungal sauces are also available and can be used on small animals, with the animal being briefly dipped in a prepared sauce to clear all fungi from the body.
In rare cases, people can become infected with microsporum but not develop lesions. In these cases, they are still able to pass the fungus on to others and may not be aware of the infection they are carrying. If members of a family find that they continue to get ringworm, it may be advisable to test all human and animal occupants for signs of latent infection to see if any are acting as a reservoir for the fungi.
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