Dermatophyte adaptation to the human host exemplified by Microsporum

This dissertation is structured into 7 chapters, using M. canis as a model to investigate its evolutionary shift from animal hosts, such as cats and dogs, to human hosts and its dual role in infection and allergy. Each chapter explores a distinct aspect of M.canis infection, including its function as both a pathogen and an allergen, its epidemiology, host adaptation, molecular mechanisms of virulence, and spore germination.