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Unknown 63 = Trichophyton schoenleinii
Clinical presentation: Favus of the scalp caused by T. schoenleinii showing extensive hair loss and numerous small scutula.
Culture: Cultures of T. schoenleinii are waxy or glabrous with a deeply folded honeycomb-like thallus with some sub-surface growth. The thallus is cream coloured to yellow to orange brown. Cultures are difficult to maintain in convoluted form and rapidly become flat and downy. No reverse pigmentation is present.
Microscopy: Microscopic morphology of T. schoenleinii showing characteristic antler "nail head" hyphae also known as 'flavic chandeliers". No macroconidia or microconidia are seen in routine cultures, however, numerous chlamydoconidia may be present in older cultures. RG-2 organism.
Comment: Trichophyton schoenleinii is an anthropophilic fungus causing favus in humans which is a chronic, scarring form of tinea capitis characterized by saucer-shaped crusted lesions or scutula and permanent hair loss. Invaded hairs remain intact and fluoresce a pale greenish yellow under Wood's ultra-violet light.
Distribution: Eurasia and Africa.
Key features: Culture characteristics, microscopic morphology showing favic chandeliers and clinical disease.
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