Which fungus is typically responsible for tinea corporis?

Tinea corporis, commonly known as ringworm of the body, is primarily caused by dermatophyte fungi, with Trichophyton being one of the most prevalent genera responsible for this condition. Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that thrive on keratin, a protein found in skin, hair, and nails. Trichophyton species, such as Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, are known to cause various skin infections and are characterized by their ability to infect the outer layers of the skin, leading to the characteristic itchy, red, ring-shaped lesions associated with tinea corporis.

The other fungi listed do not typically cause tinea corporis. For instance, Candida is primarily a yeast that causes opportunistic infections, particularly in moist areas of the body, rather than dermatophyte infections like tinea. Aspergillus and Mucor are types of mold associated with more severe infections, often affecting immunocompromised individuals and leading to conditions like aspergillosis and mucormycosis, respectively, rather than superficial skin infections like tinea corporis. Therefore, Trichophyton is the correct choice as it is specifically linked to the dermatophytic skin infections characteristic of tinea corporis