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Molecular characterization of Trichophyton indotineae and Its Virulence-Associated Genes (Subtilisin and Fungalysin) in Human Isolates from Basrah, Iraq | ||
| The Medical Journal of Basrah University | ||
| Article 8, Volume 44, Issue 1, July 2026, Pages 65-87 PDF (762.94 K) | ||
| Document Type: Research Paper | ||
| DOI: 10.33762/mjbu.2026.171636.1361 | ||
| Authors | ||
| nada S. hadi* 1; Hanadi A. Jasim2; Dooha K. Alhamdi3 | ||
| 1university of Basrah | ||
| 2Department of Microbilogy/College of Medicine/University of Basrsh/ Basrah/Iraq | ||
| 3Department of Midecine/College of Medicine/ University of Basrah | ||
| Abstract | ||
| The dermatophytes genome encodes a large number of secondary metabolites like proteases which may be associated with persistence of dermatophytosis. This study was designed to assess the presence of the serine protease-encoding subtilisin (SUB1-7) and metalloprotease-encoding fungalysin (MEP3 and MEP4) genes and to investigate the phylogenetic relationships between Iraqi Trichophyton indotineae isolates and global strains. A total of 150 clinical samples were collected and screened between February 2024 and September 2025, from which 25 isolates were molecularly confirmed as T. indotineae. These isolates were obtained from patients suffering from recurrent and treatment-resistant dermatophytosis. Virulence-associated genes (SUB1–SUB7, MEP3 and MEP4) were detected using both previously published and newly developed specific primers. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the Neighbor-Joining method implemented in MEGA (Version 11) software. PCR results demonstrated successful amplification of most target genes, with all isolates showing 100% positivity for SUB1, SUB2, SUB3, SUB4, SUB6, SUB7, MEP3, and MEP4, whereas SUB5 was detected in 60% of isolates. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicated high genetic similarity between Iraqi and global isolates, characterized by limited nucleotide variation, short branch lengths, and low genetic distances. These findings suggest low genetic divergence and may be consistent with a relatively recent introduction and possible regional spread of T. indotineae. The detection of SUB and MEP genes in the studied isolates is consistent with previous reports suggesting their potential role as virulence associated factors in dermatophyte. These results warrant further functional and epidemiological investigations to better understand dermatophyte virulence and to confirm the patterns of transmission and spread. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| dermatophytes; Trichophyton; indotineae; subtilisin; fungalysin | ||
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