Abstract: Objective To study the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes,geographical distribution,and the sites of infection of Trichophyton rubrum(T.rubrum).Methods The genotypes were determined by Southern blotting with a probe amplified from the small-subunit rDNA and adjacent internal transcribed spacer(ITS)regions.The phenotypes of T.rubrum were determined by conventional method.Results Twenty genotypes(DNA type A to T)and 5 phenotypes(villous,furrowed,granular,powdery,and woolly)were recognized among 49 strains of T.rubrum.Genotype A prevailed in all phenotypes except granular type.Type B represented the most common genotype among the strains of villous type and furrowed type.Type A took the first place in powdery type and woolly type.All of the type A strains were from Dalian.Seven of 9 type B strains were from Nanjing.Six type C strains were all from Nanjing.The majority strains of 21 strains isolated from tinea unguium were type C,most of the16strains isolated from tinea cruris and tinea corporis were type A,8 strains from tinea pedis were type B,and4strains from tinea capitis were type C.Conclusion There are certain possible relationships between genotypes and phenotypes,geographical distribution and sites of infection of T.rubrum.

Key words: Trichophyton, Genotype, Phenotype