Taxonomic position of deep-seated, mucosa-associated, and superficial isolates of Trichosporon cutaneum from trichosporonosis patients.

Clinical isolates of Trichosporon cutaneum, the causative agent of trichosporonosis, were identified on the basis of DNA relatedness. Of the 10 strains from deep-seated and mucosa-associated infections, 9 were identified as T. asahii and 1 was identified as T. ovoides. The two superficial strains were identified as T. cutaneum and a variety of T. montevideense. These findings suggest that T. cutaneum is a heterogeneous species in clinical samples and that the causative agents of trichosporonosis exist in four or more species.