ISSN 2756-3391
African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 781–786
DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140781
Article Type: Full Length Research Paper
Title: Phenotypic and molecular identification methods for Trichosporon isolates obtained from different clinical specimens
Names of Authors: Noha El-Mashad¹*, Mohamed Taha Mahmoud², Heba allah El-Shewehy³
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Clinical Pathology, Mansoura University, Egypt. ²Department of Microbiology (Mycology), Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511 Zagazig, Egypt. ³Medical Science (Mycology), Egypt.
Abstract: Trichosporon is a medically important genus that includes the causative agents of both deep-seated, mucosa-associated infections and superficial infections. In this study, we aimed to present data on the phenotypic and molecular identification of Trichosporon species recovered from various clinical specimens representing both superficial and systemic infections. A total of 397 samples (65 blood cultures, 192 nail scrapings, 140 skin scrapings) were included for isolation, phenotypic, and genotypic identification of Trichosporon species. Cases of hematological malignancies, onychomycosis, and Tinea pedis were positive for yeast isolates with percentages of 10.7 percent, 16.6 percent, and 20.7 percent, respectively. Based on the morphologic characters of isolated colonies on Sabouraud dextrose agar, microscopic examination of colonies on rice agar, and stained smears, yeasts identified as Trichosporon were: 9 (4.68 percent) from nail samples, 5 (3.6 percent) from skin samples, and 0 (0.0 percent) from blood cultures. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Trichosporon genus-specific primers for 68 yeast isolates was positive in 16 samples (14 were previously identified by morphology and 2 nail scrapings were falsely diagnosed negative) at 170 base pairs. We subsequently performed 2 PCR runs on the identified 16 samples using specific primers for each of T. asahii and T. mucoides targeting the ITS1 and ITS2 sequences. They yielded specific amplification of a DNA fragment at 430 base pairs in 13 out of 16 samples, which is specific for Trichosporon asahii, and 0 (0.0 percent) samples were positive for Trichosporon mucoides specific primers. Occurance of trichosporonosis is not rare in humans. T. asahii species is common in our locality. Molecular methods for identification of Trichosporon are more precise. The standardization of laboratory methods for Trichosporon identification and antifungal susceptibility tests are necessary to investigate both superficial and systemic trichosporonosis.
Keywords: Trichosporon asahii, Polymerase chain reaction, Trichosporon mucoides, Clinical diagnostics
Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 15, 2026; Revised: February 18, 2026; Accepted: March 21, 2026; Published: August 28, 2026