A newly proposed taxonomy of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and related species was introduced and verified with the grounds for the new classification, phylogenetic analysis, and Templeton's cohesive species concept. So-called asexual species were shown to retain sexual ability and different host preferences were shown not to be comparable to different ecological niches. We showed that genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) can be applied to so-called asexual Trichophyton species.
    The results of GCPSR analysis and mating experiments demonstrated that Arthroderma simii, A. vanbreuseghemii, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale, and T. tonsurans may be considered as single phylogenetic species, and that A. benhamiae, T. concentricum, T. verrucosum, and T. mentagrophytes var. erinacei may also be considered as single phylogenetic species. In addition, the conspecificity of three Arthroderma species may also be demonstrated in future.
    In conclusion, we should not hastily revise the nomenclature based on the phylogenetic tree from only one gene, because different genes can yield different phylogenetic trees. Therefore, we recommend retaining the previous taxonomy until an acceptable taxonomy is proposed.

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   Most species of this genus are lipid-dependent yeasts, which colonize the seborrheic part of the skin, and they have been reported to be associated with pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis. Malassezia have been re-classified into 7 species based on molecular biological analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA/RNA and new Malassezia species were reported. As members of the genus Malassezia share similar morphological and biochemical characteristics, it was thought to be difficult to differentiate between them based on phenotypic features. While molecular biological techniques are the most reliable methods for identification of Malassezia, they are not available in most clinical laboratories. We studied ( i ) development of an efficient isolation media and culture based easy identification system, ( ii ) the incidence of atypical biochemical features in Malassezia species and propose a culture-based easy identification system for clinically important Malassezia species, M. globosa, M. restricta, and M. furfur.

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   HPLC/MS analysis revealed that the main constituents of Brazilian propolis A and B were artepillin C and drupanin, while those of New Zealand propolis C were pinocembrin, galangin and alkylphenol. No flavonoid or phenolic acid was detected in Japanese propolis D. Propolis C showed comparatively potent activity against growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, against filament formation of Candida albicans and potent scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhyrazyl radical, but was less active against growth of C. albicans, as compared with those of thyme thymol essential oil, which was used as a positive control. Propolis A, B, and D were weak in antifungal activity, but showed more potent radical scavenging activity than thyme thymol oil. These results reveal the unique bioactivity of propolis, suggesting a possible application for antifungal therapy.

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Genotype characteristics and distribution of commensal Candida albicans should be studied to predict the development of candidiasis, however, extensive genotype analysis of commensal C. albicans has not been made. In this study, 508 C. albicans isolates were collected from patients with/without candidiasis and divided into 4 isolate groups (SG-1, oral cavity of non-candidiasis patients; SG-2, patients with cutaneous candidiasis; SG-3, patients with vaginal candidiasis; SG-4, patients with candidemia). These isolates were characterized to study the relationship between genotypes and pathogenicity using microsatellite analysis. Using CDC3 and CAI, 5 genotypes (I, 111: 115/33: 41; II, 115: 119/23: 23; III, 115: 123/18: 27; IV, 115: 123/33: 40; and V, 123: 127/32: 41) were found in 4.2%, 8.9%, 7.1%, 2.2% and 3.1% of the isolates, respectively. Genotypes II and III were commonly found in all isolate groups. These genotypes were further divided into 28 types by additional HIS3 and CAIII microsatellite markers. In this analysis, C. albicans with type 6 and type 23 was widely distributed as a commensal species in the oral cavity of non-candidiasis patients and found to be related with candidiasis development. Additionally, genotypes I and IV were found in SG-2 and/or SG-4, suggesting that the fungus with those genotypes is also involved in this development. In contrast, genotype V was not identified in any infective isolates.

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