Which species causes Tinea capitis, Tinea pedis, Tinea corporis, and onychomycosis?

Which species causes Tinea capitis, Tinea pedis, Tinea corporis, and onychomycosis?

• A. Trichophyton mentagrophytes
• B. Trichophyton rubrum
• C. Malassezia furfur
• D. Epidermophyton floccosum

Answer: (B)

Trichophyton rubrum is the dermatophyte most strongly linked to infections of skin, nails, and the spaces between toes and fingers. It loves keratin and is the top cause of tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), tinea corporis (body ringworm), and onychomycosis (nail infections). While scalp infections (tinea capitis) are more often due to other dermatophytes like Trichophyton tonsurans or Microsporum canis, rubrum can still cause capitis in some cases. Among the options, rubrum best accounts for all four conditions, making it the most fitting answer. Epidermophyton floccosum mainly causes pedis and corporis (and sometimes tinea cruris) but not typically scalp or nails. Malassezia furfur causes tinea versicolor, not these keratin-driven infections. Trichophyton mentagrophytes can cause several of these infections but is not as consistently associated with onychomycosis as rubrum.

Trichophyton rubrum is the dermatophyte most strongly linked to infections of skin, nails, and the spaces between toes and fingers. It loves keratin and is the top cause of tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), tinea corporis (body ringworm), and onychomycosis (nail infections). While scalp infections (tinea capitis) are more often due to other dermatophytes like Trichophyton tonsurans or Microsporum canis, rubrum can still cause capitis in some cases. Among the options, rubrum best accounts for all four conditions, making it the most fitting answer.

Epidermophyton floccosum mainly causes pedis and corporis (and sometimes tinea cruris) but not typically scalp or nails. Malassezia furfur causes tinea versicolor, not these keratin-driven infections. Trichophyton mentagrophytes can cause several of these infections but is not as consistently associated with onychomycosis as rubrum.