Clinical and epidemiological survey of dermatophytoses in Jaen (Spain)

Prevalence of dermatophytosis, with respect to age and sex and dermatophyte species, in Jaen was investigated during a period of three years (1996-1999). The prevalence of dermatophytosis over three years was 4.48 cases / 1000 inhabitants. The isolated species were: Microsporum canis (48.6%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (27.1%), Epidermophyton floccosum (10%), Trichophyton rubrum (8.6%), Trichophyton violaceum (4.3%), and Microsporum gypseum (1.4%). The most frequently observed dermatophytoses were tinea corporis (62.8%), followed by tinea capitis (12.8%); other clinical forms encountered were, in decreasing order of frequency, tinea cruris, tinea pedis and tinea unguium, tinea faciei and tinea barbae. Men were more affected than women.     

Surveillance of Dermatophytosis in Northeast of Iran (Mashhad) and Review of Published Studies

Dermatophytoses are considered to be one of the major public health problems in the world and are among the most commonly diagnosed skin diseases in Iran. In spite of improved personal hygiene and living environment, dermatophytosis continues to spread and persist. To determine the prevalence of dermatophytosis and their etiologic agents in Mashhad (Iran), five hundred and sixty patients suspected to have fungal infection were studied. Subjects who participated in this study were 330 males and 230 females ranged in age from 4 months to 70 years with a mean age of about 25.5 years. Clinical materials including skin scraping, hair and scalp sample, nail clipping and subungual debris were collected. All of the specimens were assessed by direct examination and culture. Of 560 patients, 166 (29.6 %) had dermatophytosis. The types of tinea according to anatomical areas were as follows: tinea corporis (33.1 %), tinea capitis (32.5 %), tinea manuum (17.5 %), tinea cruris (10.2 %), tinea pedis (5.4 %), tinea unguium (0.6 %) and tinea barbae (0.6 %). Trichophyton verrucosum was the most prevalent species followed by Trichophyton violaceum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The prevalence of dermatophytosis in males was higher than in females. Based on a review of published studies from different parts of Iran, there are regional differences in the incidence of dermatophytosis. Epidermophyton floccosum has been the most prevalent species, and Microsporum canis has been isolated less than from the other countries.     

杭州部分地区头癣73例类型及病原菌分析

目的 了解近2年来杭州部分地区头癣类型及其病原菌分布情况。方法 采用回顾性方法对2003年5月～2005年4月在杭州市第三人民医院皮肤科门诊诊治的头癣患者进行分析。结果 73例头癣患者中白癣41例（56．16％）、黑癣23例（31．5％）、脓癣9例（12．33％）,未发现黄癣。51例行真菌培养。主要病原菌为犬小孢子菌22例（43．14％）、紫色毛癣菌17例（33．33％）、须癣毛癣菌8例（15．69％）、断发毛癣菌4例（7．84％）。结论 杭州地区头癣患者中白癣发病率占首位,犬小孢子菌为主要致病菌。     

A study of dermatophytosis in South West of Iran (Ahwaz)

Two hundred and seventy nine patients suspected of having fungal lesions were examined. Skin scrapping, hair samples and nail clippings were collected from patients. Direct and culture examinations were performed for all samples. About 115 cases of examined subjects had dermatophytosis. Dermatophytosis occurred mainly in adults males (20–29 years). Tinea cruris (24.3%) was the most common type of dermatophytosis followed by tinea pedis (16.5%), tinea corporis (14.8%), tinea ungium (13%), tinea capitis (11.3%), tinea faciei (11.3%), tinea manuum (7%) and tinea barbae (1.7%). Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the most prevalent species followed by Epidermophyton floccosum.     

A study of 3891 cases of mycoses in the tropics.

4103 cases suspected of mycoses were analysed as to sex, age and site of disease and 3891 were proved cases. This group formed 50% of total mycoses or 13-93% of all dermatoses recorded in the Government General Hospital, Madras, during the period of study. There were 66-26% adult female, 27-6% adult male and 6-14% were below 13 years. Dermatophytoses were found in 73-5%; the other common diseases were tinea versicolor (17-68%) and candidiasis (12-43%). Multiple sites of involvement or more than 1 disease in the same individual were mostly observed. The incidence of piedra (0-1%) and deep mycoses (0-156%) was very low. Mycetoma was the common disease (5/6) in deep mycoses. In dermatophytoses, tinea corporis (49-71%) and tinea cruris (47-85%) commonest; tinea axillaris (3-42%), tinea capitis (1-72%) and tinea barbae (1-29%) were less common. The incidence of tinea manuum, tinea pedis and tinea unguium was similar (4-97%-6-38%). High temperature and humidity were related to the higher incidence of tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea versicolor. Mainly children suffered from tinea capitis. All other mycoses were commonly found in adults between 2nd and 3rd decades. In all mycoses but candidiasis, female predominated. Cutaneous candidiasis was mainly a problem of housewives. Among the dermatophytes Trichophyton violaceum was predominant (33-7%) followed by T. rubrum (32-6%). Trichophyton schoenleinii and M. gypseum were rarely isolated. From mycetoma, Madurella mycetomii, Nocardia braziliensis, N. asteroides and Actinomadura spp. were isolated. Demonstration of Cryptococcus laurentii in 1 case is reported in this area for the first time.     

Griseofulvin in the treatment of dermatomycoses and onychomycoses produced by dermatophytes of the Trichophyton group

Summary Based on observations on the therapy of 128 patients affected with tinea unguium, tinea manus et pedis, tinea granulomatosa nodularis (Granuloma Majocchi), tinea cruris, tinea corporis, tinea barbae and tinea capitis due to infection with dermatophytes of theTrichophyton group, determinations were made for the absolute and relative indication of griseofulvin in the treatment of these mycoses. For each affection, comparisons were made between the therapeutic results obtained by combined therapy with oral griseofulvin (uniform daily dose 1 g for each case) and local therapy with 1 % water solution organic dyes, coal tar on the one hand, and mere local therapy as described above, on the other. For treatment, griseofulvin of different production was available: British Grisovin, Likuden and Likuden M from West-Germany, and Griseofulvin produced in the German Democratic Republic. No essential differences were found in the therapeutic effect of the individual preparations, the tolerance, however, was found to be best with Likuden. On the basis of comparisons made for the results of the individual methods of treatment, griseofulvin therapy was found to be an absolute indication of the mycotic diseases as follows: tinea capitis, tinea cruris follicularis trichophytica and tinea unguium. A relative indication was found to be tinea corporis, tinea barbae, tinea cruris, and tinea manus et pedis.All patients were subjected to microscopic and culture examination. The frequency of the individual dermatophytes was as follows:Trichophyton rubrum in 56 cases,Trichophyton verrucosum in 19 cases,Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 16 cases, andTrichophyton violaceum in 1 case. Thirty six cases showed negative cultures.In conclusion, the author recommends individual selection of patients for the griseofulvin therapy.     

Dermatophyte Infections in Cairo,Egypt

In this study, we examined dermatophyte infections in patients referred to the Department of Dermatology, EL-Houd El-Marsoud Hospital, Cairo, during March 2004 to June 2005. Of 506 patients enrolled in this investigation, 403 (79.6%) were clinically diagnosed as having dermatophytoses (age range 6–70 years; males 240; females 163). Species identification determined by observation of their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics was complemented with sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region. The most common dermatophyte infection diagnosed was tinea capitis (76.4%), followed by tinea corporis (22.3%) and tinea unguium (1.2%). The most frequently isolated dermatophyte species was Trichophyton violaceum, which accounted for most (71.1%) of all the recovered dermatophytes, followed by Microsporum canis (21.09%), Trichophyton rubrum (6.2%), and Microsporum boullardii (0.49%); both Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton tonsurans were each only rarely isolated (0.24%).     

822例浅部真菌病及其致病菌种分析

目的分析新疆乌鲁木齐市浅部真菌病病原菌的流行趋势。方法对2006年1月～2013年12月就诊于我院皮肤科门诊、有典型临床表现、真菌镜检及培养均阳性的822例患者进行致病病种及菌种分析。使用SPSS17．0统计软件对于结果进行统计分析。结果822例患者包括8个病种：体癣214例（26．0％）,足癣131例（15．9％）,头癣128例（15．6％）,甲真菌病125例（15．2％）,股癣119例（14．5％）,手癣54例（6．6％）,皮肤念珠菌病38例（4．6％）,花斑糠疹13例（1．6％）。菌种分布以须癣毛癣菌为首位,336株（40．9％）,其次为红色毛癣菌共239株（29．1％）,犬小孢子菌68株（8．3％）,铁锈色小孢子菌48株（5．8％）,念珠菌38株（4．6％）,断发毛癣菌33株（4．0％）,许兰黄癣菌23株（2．8％）,马拉色菌13株（1．6％）,疣状毛癣菌9株（1．1％）,紫色毛癣菌7株（0．9％）,支顶孢霉菌4株（0．5％）,曲霉、絮状表皮癣菌各2株（各0．2％）。统计学分析显示：不同性别足癣、股癣、甲真菌病及花斑糠疹构成比有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,除体癣及花斑糠疹外,本组其他浅部真菌病的分布在年龄方面有着明显的差别（P〈O．05）。结论乌鲁木齐市浅部真菌病发病率排在前3位的依次为体癣、足癣、头癣,致病病原菌以毛癣菌为主,须癣毛癣菌为首位致病菌,其次为红色毛癣菌。足癣及甲真菌病好发于女性,而股癣及花斑糠疹好发于男性。除体癣及花斑糠疹外,不同年龄段浅部真菌病分布有明显差异,其中头癣主要好发于青少年。     

亚热带地区部队皮肤真菌病及其病原菌的调查研究

亚热带地区是皮肤真菌病的高发地区,据报道,云南边防某部皮肤真菌病发病率为57.8％,占皮肤病发病率的第一位,美军在越南战争期间,发生的所有皮肤病中,最常见的是皮肤真菌感染,而且造成了非战斗减员。战争后期,美军把皮肤病的防治作为其疾病防治的重点。因此,我们于1992年10月底对海南地区部队皮肤真菌病的发病情况进行了流行病学凋查,并对皮肤真菌病的病原菌进行了分离鉴定,现报告如下。     

Prevalence of tinea pedis,tinea unguium of toenails and tinea capitis in school children from Barcelona

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of tinea capitis, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium in children from several schools of Barcelona city.MethodsDuring the period of 2003–2004, a prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in 1,305 children (9% immigrant population) between the ages 3 and 15 in 17 schools in Barcelona. A systematic examination of the feet, (including nails and scalp), was performed to identify lesions compatible with tinea. Cultures of scalp and feet samples were done and analysis of environmental samples was performed for dermatophyte isolation.ResultsDermatophytes were isolated in 2.9% of the samples with a prevalence of 2.5% in feet, 0.23% in scalp, and 0.15% in nails of the feet. The predominant etiologic agents in feet were Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 45.7% of the cases and Trichophyton rubrum in 31.4%. In the nails, T. rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans were isolated, while T. mentagrophytes (2 cases) and Trichophyton violaceum (1 case) were identified in scalp samples. Forty-five per cent of dermatophytes were isolated from healthy feet, the majority of cases in children 13–15 years old (p<0.05). Microsporum gypseum was the only agent identified in the environmental samples, and was also found in one of the cases of tinea pedis.ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrate a low prevalence of tinea capitis and tinea unguium in school children of Barcelona. On the contrary, high prevalence of dermatophytes in feet was found. It highlights the high prevalence of healthy carriers of dermatophytes in feet.     

Etiologic and epidemiologic study of dermatomycoses in Navarra (Spain)

We review the etiology of the dermatophytosis in Navarra (Spain) over a 5-year period and it is compared with previous studies. We have isolated 312 strains of dermatophyte fungi in 285 patients (188 men and 97 women). Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated species (58.6%) followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (26.2%) and Microsporum canis (10.5%). Concerning the location of the lesions, tinea pedis was the clinical pattern found in the greatest number of patients, followed by tinea corporis, tinea unguium and tinea capitis. Twenty eight percent of the isolations were accomplished in October and November. More than half of those patients questioned had had epidemiological contact with animals or practiced sports. The rise of tinea pedis in our region is emphasised. The possible causes of this increment are analyzed and some recommendations for its control are made.     

Prevalence of Dermatophytoses in the Zarqa District of Jordan

A total of 350 clinically suspected cases of dermatomycoses were examined for causative fungi during July 1997 to September 1998. Mycotic infection was demonstrable by microscopy and culture in 199 (56.8%) cases. The most common superficial mycotic infections were tinea pedis (35.2%) followed by tinea capitis (23.1%), tinea unguium (21.6%) and tinea corporis (10.6%). Most of the infected patients were 1–9, 20–29 and 30–39 years old. Men were mainly infected with tinea cruris and tinea pedis, while women were infected with tinea pedis, tinea unguium and tinea capitis. The frequencies of etiological agents isolated from patients were as follows: Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (32.7%), T. rubrum (28.6%), Epidermophyton floccosum (20.1%), Microsporum canis (11.1%), T.schoenleinii (4%), T.verrucosum (2%), T.violaceum (1%), and M. gypseum (0.5%). The number of infections varied with the seasons. The highest number of cases of tinea pedis and tinea cruris occurred in the summer months, while tinea capitis, tinea corporis and tinea unguium occurred in the spring and winter months. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Analysis of Dermatomycoses in Lanzhou District of Northwestern China

The skin mycoses, perticularly dermatophytoses, in Lanzhou district, Northwestern China, was investigated during July 2002–June 2003. The specimens from patients suspected of having dermatomycoses were examined microscopically in KOH preparations and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Among 1443 suspected cases, 594 were KOH positive and 221 cultures of fungi were isolated. The most frequently isolated fungi were Trichophyton rubrum (43.9%) Trichophyton mentagrophytes (29.4%) and Candida species (14.0%). The frequency of tinea pedis, onychomycosis and tinea manuum were 38.7, 27.8 and 13.5%, respectively. In Lanzhou district, tinea pedis is the most commonly seen dermatophytoses, and T. rubrum is the most frequent etiologic agent.     

Epidemiology of Dermatophytoses in an Area South of Tehran,Iran

Dermatophyte infections have been considered to be a major public health problem in many parts of the world. The aim of this study was to identify the etiological and epidemiological factors of dermatophyte infections in an area south of Tehran. A total of 1254 patients suspected to have dermatophytic lesions were examined over a period of three years (1999-2001). Material collected from skin, hair, and nails was submitted to direct microscopic examination using KOH, cultured in Sabouraud dextrose agar and microscopically examined for colony morphology, in order to the identify the 169 dermatophytes isolated. The prevalence of dermatophytoses was 13.5% (95% CI: 11.7-15.5%). Their incidence was 10.6 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 8.5-13.2). Epiderophyton floccosum was the most frequent dermatophyte isolated (31.4%) followed by Trichophyton rubrum (18.3%), T. mentegrophytes (17.2%), T. violaceum (16.6%), Microsporum canis (6.5%), T. verrucosum (4.7%) and M. gypseum (4.1%). Epidermophytes floccosum was found to be the most common isolated dermatophyte in age groups 20-29 (30.2%). Tinea corporis (31.4%) was the most common type of infection, followed by tinea cruris (20.7%), tinea manuum (15.4%), tinea capitis (12.4%), tinea pedis (10.6%), tinea faciei (7.1%), and tinea unguium (2.4%). The frequency rate of all of the types of tinea was higher in males than in females. The anthrophilic species E. floccosum was the most common dermatophyte as a causative agent of tinea. The most prevalent fungal infection was tinea corporis caused by E. floccosum.     

Tinea Capitis in Southeastern China: A 16-Year Survey

This survey was a retrospective of a 16-year (1993–2008) study on the incidence, clinical features, and etiological agents of tinea capitis mainly representing the Southeastern China. The diagnosis was confirmed by direct microscopic examination. Eight hundred and sixty-six patients with tinea capitis, 381 males (44%) and 485 females (56%), were enrolled in this study. Patients were between 20 days and 84 years old with an average of 10.5 years and the peak incidence was in the age group of 6–10 (48.5%). Five hundred and sixty-two patients (64.9%) were ectothrix and 303 patients (35.0%) were endothrix with only one patient was favus. The incidence of tinea capitis from 1993 was gradually increasing and reaching to its peak in 2001. Positive cultures of dermatophytes were obtained in 715 patients: Microsporum canis (62.4%) was predominant, followed by Trichophyton violaceum (19.0%), Trichophyton tousurans (9.8%). M. canis was the major pathogen for ectothrix infection, while T. violaceum and T. tousurans contributed to the most endothrix form. M. canis, T. violaceum, and T. rubrum were the major pathogens for kerion.     

Epidemiology of superficial mycosis (tinea pedis, onychomycosis) in elementary school children in Istanbul, Turkey

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of tinea pedis and onychomycosis in children of elementary school age and to examine the socio-demographic attributes that may be effective in correlation of both mycoses. 3,390 female and 3,768 male children between ages 6-14 have been examined in seven schools. Skin scrapings and nail samples were taken from 13 students who were suspected to have tinea pedis and from 49 students who were suspected to have onychomycosis. According to direct microscopy (10-15% KOH+calcofluor white) and culturel examination (Sabouraud dextrose agar and dermatophyte test medium) 11 students were diagnosed as tinea pedis and 24 were diagnosed as onychomycosis. Trichophyton rubrum was isolated in 3 students with tinea pedis whose culture was positive and five Candida albicans, five Candida glabrata and one Candida tropicalis cases were isolated from 11 samples with onychomycosis. Tinea pedis prevalence has been found to be 3.3%0. Differences between onychomycosis prevalence based on age have been found to be significant (p < 0.001). In conclusion, it has been determined that the prevalence of tinea pedis and onychomycosis among children is low. Candida spp. was isolated from all of the 14 samples diagnosed as onychomycosis. Our study shows similar results with previous studies done in Turkey and that Trichophyton rubrum continues to be the most isolated agent.     

Onychomycosis and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tinea Pedis</Emphasis> in Athletes from the State of Rio Grande Do Sul (Brazil): A Cross-Sectional Study

Onychomycosis and tinea pedis are common superficial infections caused primarily by dermatophytes. The aim of this investigation was to study the epidemiology, etiological agents, and potential risk factors for infection based on comparison of athletes and non-athletes from a northern region of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Each group consisted of 100 male individuals with ages ranging from 18 to 40 years. After a clinical examination, samples were taken from individuals presenting signs of onychomycosis and/or tinea pedis for direct microscopic examination and culture. Among the athletes, the frequency of onychomycosis and/or tinea pedis was 32%, and for the control group, it was 20%. The athletes presented 16% of onychomycosis, 12% of tinea pedis, and 4% of onychomycosis and tinea pedis together. The distribution in the control group was 10% of onychomycosis, 7% of tinea pedis, and 3% of this association. The pathogens identified were dermatophytes (84.8%) and yeasts (15.2%), and the most commonly identified organism was Trichophyton rubrum, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale. No significant differences were found when the frequency of species distribution in the athletes and non-athlete groups was compared. Risk factors for onychomycosis in athletes included familial cases of fungal infection, contact with domestic animals, and nail trauma, while the risk factors in non-athletes included the habit of not using sandals in public bathrooms and nail trauma. For tinea pedis, the habit of not using sandals in public bathrooms was a predisposing factor in both groups, while hyperhydrosis was a risk factor only in non-athletes. This study concludes that despite the higher number of fungal infections in athletes, there is no significant difference between these groups.     

Fungal infection of the feet in soccer players and non-athlete individuals

This study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of mycoses affecting the feet of soccer players and to compare this results with those in non-athlete individuals of the same age and sex. Initial evaluation consisted of a dermatological examination of the foot in 22 Chinese athletes, 83 Brazilian athletes and 24 Brazilian non-athletes. Scales of plantar skin, interdigital and subungual areas of the foot were collected for mycological examination (direct and culture). Nail clippings were obtained for histopathologic analysis. Tinea pedis was diagnosed more frequently among the non-athlete individuals. None of the Chinese athletes had tinea pedis alone. However, in this group onychomycosis was frequently higher when compared to the other groups. The fungal microbiota comprised Trichophyton rubrum (40%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (36.4%) and Candida spp (20%). Candida spp was isolated only from Brazilian athletes. Results obtained with KOH wet mounts agreed with the results obtained in culture and with histopathologic examinations (50.5% vs 40.9%). The frequency of tinea pedis among soccer players was lower than the other groups in this study, possibly due to health education and professional feet care.     

面癣118例的真菌学和临床因素分析

目的探讨面癣的致病菌、临床特点、易感年龄等相关因素。方法分析本院门诊2012年1～6月的真菌直接涂片镜检发现菌丝或孢子的面癣患者。记录患者的一般资料、有无动物接触史、有无并发其他部位浅部真菌病、用药史。取皮屑直接镜检的同时进行真菌培养鉴定。结果面癣见于各年龄段,在51～70岁之间有一个年龄高峰。分离皮肤癣菌103株,包括红色毛癣菌70株(68.0%)、犬小孢子菌21株(20.4%)、须癣毛癣菌10株(9.7%)、石膏样小孢子菌2株(1.9%)。合并其他浅部真菌病、使用激素类药物、动物接触史是面癣发病的重要因素。部分炎症明显的面癣使用医用拭子取材,可以提高真菌涂片和培养的质量。结论不典型的面癣容易误诊,需要高质量的真菌镜检和培养,降低面癣误诊率。     

126例面癣临床因素及病原菌分析

目的探讨面癣的致病菌种、临床特点及发病相关因素。方法对126例面癣患者进行真菌分离培养鉴定及流行病学分析。结果面癣见于各年龄段,以11～30岁最多见。患病动物接触史、合并其他部位浅部真菌病史及糖皮质类固醇激素类药物外用史是面癣发病的重要危险因素。分离出皮肤癣菌108株,包括红色毛癣菌63株（58．3％）、犬小孢子菌25株（23．1％）、须癣毛癣菌18株（16．7％）和石膏样小孢子菌2株（1．9％）。结论面癣的发病没有年龄差异,患者可见于各个年龄阶段;面癣的常见致病真菌绝大多数为红色毛癣菌和犬小孢子菌,其发病可能与患者自体接种或接触患病动物相关。面癣容易被误诊,及时进行真菌镜检和培养是降低面癣误诊率的关键。