Establishment and application of multiplex PCR method for detection of Trichophyton verrucosum, Microsporum canis, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes from cattle

In this study, a multiplex PCR method that can rapidly detect these three fungi at the same time was established, and its specificity, sensitivity and repeatability were analyzed at the same time. The results showed that the multiplex PCR method amplified the specific expected fragments of 581 bp, 1,513 bp and 371 bp for <i>T. verrucosum</i>, <i>M. canis</i> and <i>T. mentagrophytes</i>. The minimum detection limits of <i>T. verrucosum, M. canis</i> and <i>T. mentagrophytes</i> were all 1 pg./μL. The positive rates were 87.5% (21/24) for samples. The results showed that the multiplex PCR method was simple, specific and sensitive and might be used for rapid diagnosis and identification of dermatophytes in cattle.