Microsporum

1 9.9

A type of fungus that can cause ringworm in people and animals

noun
/ˌmaɪkrəˈspɔːrəm/

Specialized

: Microsporum

It is caused by a variety of zoophilic, anthropophilic, and geophilic dermatophytes of the genera Microsporum and Trichophyton.
Microsporum gypseum

Examples

Microsporum canis is a common cause of ringworm in cats and dogs.
Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were the most frequently isolated dermatophytes.

Academic text (2007)
Of the isolated species, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes are the most prevalent isolates.

Academic text (2007)
The veterinarian diagnosed the skin infection as being caused by Microsporum.
Many athletes are prone to infections caused by Microsporum fungi.

Surface Forms

Microsporum singular

Microspora plural

Morphology

Microsporum = micro + spor + um

Although micro- and a spore-related element are visible, the scientific genus name is not transparently interpretable from those parts for an average learner.

Etymology

Microsporum comes from the parts micro- meaning 'small' and spora meaning 'spore' or 'seed', the same micro- you see in microscope. So, Microsporum is the name for fungi with very small spores that can spread on skin and cause ringworm.