Infection with a rare geophilic dermatophyte

There are 12 dermatologically relevant Microsporum (M.) species. The most frequent species are M. canis, M. audouinii and M. gypseum. We report an infection of the right forearm with the rare dermatophyte M. fulvum. A KOH examination of scales revealed a tinea corporis. The scales were cultured on DermaselA (R) agar with the identification of the geophilic dermatophyte M. gypseum. However, ITS sequencing and mass spectrometry revealed M. fulvum as the correct pathogen.