Chiefly in mod.L. form Trichophyton. [f. Gr. θρίξ, τριχ- hair + φυτόν plant.] A genus of minute fungi, parasitic on the skin; esp. the species Trichophyton tonsurans, which produces ringworm.
1862. H. Macmillan, in Macm. Mag., Oct., 463/1. Another variety of tric[h]ophyton or hair-plant which luxuriates on the beard.
1876. Duhring, Dis. Skin, 70. The trichophyton, giving rise to three affections, tinea circinata, tinea tonsurans, and tinea sycosis.
1898. P. Manson, Trop. Diseases, xxxvii. 579. Itching rings, or segments of rings, of trichophyton infection.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 779. Conglomerative pustular perifolliculitis … due to one of the trichophyton fungi. Ibid., 855. Sabouraud thinks it probable that the trichophytes, or some of them, may exist independently as saprophytes.
Hence Trichophytic a., of or pertaining to a trichophyte; Trichophytosis: see quot. 1890.
1890. Billings, Med. Dict., Trichophytosis, disease of the skin produced by the tric[h]ophyton fungus.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 854. It is rare to find the same species of large-spored fungus in any two cases of trichophytic ringworm. Ibid., 863. Lesions of trichophytic appearance. Ibid. Lesions having the circinate form … characteristic of trichophytosis.
