{
  "abstract": "Fungal skin infections represent the fourth most prevalent disease globally, predominantly attributed to dermatophyte species such as Trichophyton. Nevertheless, sporadic instances of dermatophytosis may also arise from opportunistic, uncommon fungi. This study documents the association of keratinophilic fungi, Myriodontium keratinophilum and Aphanoascus verrucosus, with cases of dermatophytosis in Kashmir, North India. Internal transcribed spacer region sequencing of 64 isolates obtained from skin, hair, and nail samples of 62 patients identified 61% of isolates (n = 39) as M. keratinophilum, followed by Trichophyton indotineae and A. verrucosus in 20% (n = 13) and 19% (n = 12) cases, respectively. Furthermore, the first hybrid de novo genome assembly of M. keratinophilum is reported in the present study. Genomic analysis of both M. keratinophilum and A. verrucosus species revealed median intra-species single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) differences of 100 and 27, respectively, suggesting highly related strains in the patient population. De novo functional annotation identified a higher number of coding regions in M. keratinophilum compared to T. indotineae and A. verrucosus, including carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) exhibiting unique substrate affinities and subtilisin 3 (SUB3) gene, previously implicated as a potential virulence gene in dermatophytes. Notably, in addition to all the multidrug transporters encoded by Trichophyton species, M. keratinophilum genome contains six putative ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters showing 40%–70% sequence similarity with the CDR1 gene. M. keratinophilum exhibited reduced susceptibility to multiple antifungals, including high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) (>16 mg/L) against griseofulvin and itraconazole. Importantly, itraconazole is a primary therapeutic agent for terbinafine-resistant T. indotineae infections, underscoring the necessity for early and accurate identification and intervention of dermatophytic infections.\n\nIMPORTANCE: The study reports cases of dermatophytosis associated with two rare keratinophilic fungi, i.e., Myriodontium keratinophilum and Aphanoascus verrucosus. The cases mainly presented as tinea corporis and cruris, commonly caused by Trichophyton indotineae in the Indian subcontinent, which may remain undiagnosed due to a lack of molecular identification. Furthermore, the first-ever genome report of M. keratinophilum and its ab initio functional annotation is useful for further studies and management of opportunistic pathogens that exhibit reduced susceptibility towards itraconazole, the first-line drug of treatment for terbinafine-resistant T. indotineae infections. An early correct molecular identification of the etiologic agents of skin infections is warranted to tackle the new agents of dermatophytosis at the earliest stage.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India",
    "Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India",
    "Department of Microbiology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Jammu and Kashmir, India",
    "Department of Zoology, Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India",
    "Department of Dermatology, STD & Leprosy, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences - Medical College Hospital, Bemina, Jammu and Kashmir, India",
    "Department of Microbiology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences - Medical College, Bemina, Jammu and Kashmir, India",
    "National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance in Fungal Pathogens, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, Delhi, India"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 11,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Amtoj Kaur",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-7627-9330"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Sandhyarani Mahanto",
      "orcid": "0009-0005-0533-2930"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Gulnaz Bashir"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Meenakshi Malik"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Bashir Ahmad Fomda"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Farah Sameem"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Arijit Pal"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Syed Khurshid Ahmad"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Hardeep Kaur"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Perumal Vivekanandan",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-4186-9939"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        6
      ],
      "name": "Anuradha Chowdhary",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-2028-7462"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5bfnrahe5966f.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1128/spectrum.01087-26",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13729104/",
  "id": "5bfnrahe5966f",
  "issns": [
    "2165-0497"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.01087-26",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Research Article"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2708|Nail Diseases and Treatments"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214398396",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": "PMC13729104",
  "pmid": "42788722",
  "published": "2026-09-25",
  "publisher": "American Society for Microbiology (ASM)",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5bfnrahe5966f.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-07T12:21:55Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13729104",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.01087-26"
    }
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2708|Nail Diseases and Treatments",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Dermatophytosis beyond Trichophyton indotineae: genomic characterization of rare keratinophilic fungi Myriodontium keratinophilum and Aphanoascus verrucosus in North India",
  "title_text": "Dermatophytosis beyond Trichophyton indotineae: genomic characterization of rare keratinophilic fungi Myriodontium keratinophilum and Aphanoascus verrucosus in North India",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-07T12:21:55Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5bfnrahe5966f",
  "venue": "Microbiology Spectrum",
  "versions": []
}