Microsporum is a
genus of
fungi that causes tinea capitis, tinea corpus,
ringworm, and other
dermatophytoses (
fungal infections of the
skin).
Microsporum forms both
macroconidia (large asexual reproductive structures) and
microconidia (smaller asexual reproductive structures) on short
conidiophores. Macroconidia are
hyaline, multiseptate, variable in form, , spindle-shaped to obovate, 7–20 by 30–160 um in size, with thin or thick echinulate to verrucose cell walls. Their shape, size and cell wall features are important characteristics for species identification. Microconidia are hyaline, single-celled, to clavate, smooth-walled, 2.5–3.5 by 4–7 um in size and are not diagnostic for any one
species.