Introduction to Fungi, Third Edition

294 PLECTOMYCETES
Fig11.5 Ctenomyces serratus. (a) Gymnothecia attached to a horse hair with which the fungus was baited. (b) Gymnothecial
appendage. Note the thick walls. Micrographs taken from material kindly provided by R. Sharma.
Fig11.6 Asexual states of
Arthrodermaracemosum
(Arthrodermataceae).
(a) Microsporum-type macroconidia.
The spores are multicellular and
thick-walled, with granular
external ornamentations.
(b) Chrysosporium-like microconidial
state. Redrawn from de Hoog et al.
(2000a), with kind permission of
Centraalbureau voor
Schimmelcultures.
the treatment of dermatomycoses in children,
although resistance has developed among some
strains of dermatophytes. Transmission of tinea
infections to humans is often from pets, especially
dogs, but also herbivores such as cows
and horses. One species particularly common on
cows is T. verrucosum (Fig. 11.7). The main
transmission route for athlete’s foot and infections
of toenails, both caused mainly by T.
mentagrophytes and T. rubrum, is the use of
communal facilities such as swimming pools
and dressing rooms. Extensive listings of the
various skin mycoses and the species causing
them have been compiled by Weitzman and
Summerbell (1995) and Howard et al. (2003).
Members of the Arthrodermataceae are of
historical interest because they were among
the first fungi recognized as causing disease. In
1842, Robert Remak succeeded in experimentally
infecting himself with a fungus now known
as T. schoenleinii (Ainsworth, 1976). Another
milestone was laid by Raymond Sabouraud
who pioneered the identification of dermatophytes
on the basis of their appearance on