Host-driven subspeciation in the hedgehog fungus, <i> Trichophyton erinacei</i>, an emerging cause of human dermatophytosis

Trichophyton erinacei is a main cause of dermatophytosis in hedgehogs and increasingly reported from human infections worldwide. This pathogen was originally described the European hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus ) but also frequently found African four-toed Atelerix albiventris ), popular pet animal Little known about taxonomy population genetics this despite its increasing importance clinical practice. Notably, whether there are different populations or even cryptic species associated with hosts geographic regions not known. To answer these questions, we collected 161 isolates, performed phylogenetic population-genetic analyses, determined mating-type, characterised morphology physiology. Multigene phylogeny microsatellite analysis supported T. as monophyletic species, contrast to highly incongruent single-gene phylogenies. Two subpopulations, one specific mainly second hosts, were identified inside , slight differences size microconidia antifungal susceptibilities observed among them. Although process speciation into two lineages ongoing still gene flow between populations. Thus, present single notable intraspecies variability genotype phenotype. The data wild indicated that sexual reproduction de novo infection soil probably rare events clonal horizontal spread strongly dominates. molecular typing approach used study represents suitable tool for further epidemiological surveillance emerging both animals humans. results highlighted need use multigene ideally combination other independent markers understand boundaries dermatophytes.