Diversity of Geophilic Dermatophytes Species in the Soils of Iran; The Significant Preponderance of Nannizzia fulva

A molecular epidemiology study was conducted between 2016 and 2017 by a network of collaborators from 12 provinces in the Islamic Republic Iran. total 1484 soil samples different habitats were screened for presence dermatophytes using hair baiting technique. The primary identification isolates carried out amplification MvaI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) internal transcribed spacers regions ribosomal DNA (ITS-rDNA). identifications, especially cases with unknown RFLP patterns, confirmed sequencing ITS-rDNA region. As result, 256 recovered. isolation rate higher soils pH range 7.1–8.0, collected animal (n = 78; 34%) parks gardens 75; 32%), geographically Mazandaran Province 115; 49.5%) seasonally spring 129; 50.4%), all which statistically significant (p < 0.05). comprising five species two genera, viz., Nannizzia fulva 214), N. gypsea 34), Arthroderma quadrifidum 5), A. gertleri 2) tuberculatum 1), isolated. geophilic occurred various parts Iran; however, surprisingly, emerged as dominant species, outnumbering common gypsea. For definitive inhabitant dermatophytes, DNA-based is strongly recommended.