Re-Discovery of Trichophyton Bullosum in North Africa as a Cause of Severe Dermatophytosis in Donkeys

This article documents the first confirmed cases of Trichophyton bullosum infection in Africa since its initial discovery in 1933, found in donkeys near Cairo, Egypt, suffering from severe dermatitis. The fungus was identified through microscopy and PCR sequencing of the ITS rDNA region. Historically, T. bullosum has been rarely reported, with few cases in humans and horses outside Africa. The study highlights the potential underestimation of T. bullosum prevalence due to its similarity with T. verrucosum and emphasizes the need for molecular methods in epidemiological studies. This research confirms equines as primary hosts and marks the first documented infections in donkeys.