Genotyping of Microsporum canis isolated from dogs with clinical dermatophytosis by ERIC-PCR

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, B.C, Baft, Iran

Abstract

Microsporum canis is a zoonotic dermatophyte responsible for skin and hair infections in cats, dogs, and humans. Previous reports showed that, primary reservoirs include pet shops and commercial breeding facilities, while stray and domesticated cats with outdoor access are additional sources of infection. In dogs, pet stores remain the predominant reservoir. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR (ERIC-PCR) has greater power in revealing the genetic diversity of isolates, due to the use of longer primers and higher annealing temperatures, and separating isolates into completely distinct genetic groups. In this study, genotypes of M. canis, which were isolated from dogs with clinical dermatophytosis by ERIC-PCR, were investigated. Skin and hair samples were collected from dogs with clinical dermatophytosis at veterinary clinics in Tehran. Species samples were cultured and confirmed by PCR. ERIC-PCR fingerprinting was performed with ERIC-R and ERIC-F primers, generating unique banding patterns of 33 M. canis isolates. Binary scoring and phylogenetic analysis using NTSYSpc software revealed six distinct genotypes based on band variation ranging from 100 to 3,000 base pairs. These findings suggest notable intra-species genetic variability and provide insights into potential genotype–phenotype relationships relevant to clinical manifestations and treatment strategies. Identifying M. canis genotypes, which lead to more severe clinical presentations, may help clinicians to estimate recovery timelines. Nevertheless, the study findings suggest that variation in M. canis virulence may be genetically determined to a certain extent. To uncover the genetic underpinnings of M. canis virulence, further investigation using genome-wide sequencing techniques is warranted. In conclusion, we characterized Iranian M. canis isolates by ERIC-PCR for the first time. The resulting genetic profiles and phylogenetic data provide insights into intra-species diversity, potential genotype-phenotype associations, and regional transmission dynamics.

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References

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Journal of Genetic Resources
Volume 12, Issue 2
In Progress
2026
Pages 131-137

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