An organism cultured from the skin produces colonies displaying a cherry-red color on Sabouraud dextrose agar after 3-4 weeks and teardrop-shaped microconidia along the side of hyphae. What is the most likely identification?

The organism described is most likely Trichophyton rubrum due to its characteristic colony color and reproduction features. On Sabouraud dextrose agar, this species typically produces colonies with a cherry-red hue, particularly after an incubation period of 3-4 weeks, which is a distinguishing feature of T. rubrum.

Additionally, the presence of teardrop-shaped microconidia along the hyphae further supports the identification of T. rubrum. These microconidia are often clustered and are a key morphological characteristic when differentiating it from other species within the Trichophyton genus. The combination of distinct colony coloration and specific conidial structure aligns well with established clinical microbiology findings for T. rubrum, making it the most accurate identification in this scenario.