High rate of Microsporum canis feline and canine dermatophytoses in Northeast Brazil: Epidemiological and diagnostic features

Over a one year period (November 2000-December 2001), clinical specimens from 189 dogs and 38 cats, from the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, were examined at the Specialized Medical Mycology Center at the Federal University of Ceará to detect animals with dermatophytoses. The mycological analyses were conducted by direct microscopy and by fungal culture on Sabouraud agar, Sabouraud chloramphenicol agar and Mycosel agar. Dermatophytes were isolated from 27 of the 189 (14.3%) canine specimens and 14 of the 38 (36.8%) feline specimens. The identified dermatophytes were Microsporum canis (95%), M. gypseum (2.5%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (2.5%). Microsporum canis was the most common species isolated (92.6% and 100%, for dogs and cats respectively). The percentage of positive direct microscopic examinations of clinical specimens and positive cultures was 61%. There was a high proportion of positive cultures from cats less than 1 year of age, but in dogs no significant differences were detected. There were no significant differences between the sexes. Dermatophytes were more frequently isolated in March, April and May, but no significant differences were detected in the seasonal distribution of canine and feline dermatophytoses.     

Global spatial patterns and temporal trends of burned area between 1981 and 2000 using NOAA-NASA Pathfinder

An analysis of the spatial and temporal patterns of global burned area with the Daily Tile US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer Pathfinder 8 km Land dataset between 1981 and 2000 is presented. Nine distinct temporal and spatial fire patterns were identified at the global scale using principal components and cluster analysis. Three major fire seasons were identified from June to December and from February to June for different areas of the northern hemisphere and from October to March for the southern hemisphere. The area burned primarily followed the annual cycle and secondarily, an important 6-month cycle. Temporal cycles were unimportant in some equatorial and tropical areas in the northern hemisphere. The total annual burned area has not increased in the last 20 years but a significant increase was found in the mid-latitude and subtropical areas of the northern hemisphere which was offset by a slight decrease in burned area in tropical southeast Asia and Central America. Additionally, burned area has significantly increased during the summer in the mid-latitudes of the northern hemisphere and in the boreal region, and the fire season starts earlier in the mid-latitudes. Total burned area was explained by the extent of savanna (wooded grassland) cover. Latitude was not determinative as divergent fire patterns were encountered and did not have an impact on extent of burned area at our spatial level of analysis.     

A survey of dermatophytes isolated from human patients in the United States from 1979 to 1981 with chronological listings of worldwide incidence of five dermatophytes often isolated in the United States

A survey of dermatophytes isolated from patients seeking medical advice was made from 1979 to 1981 in the United States. The survey included 54 locations with data from 40 cities and 2 states. Correlations of these data with that of the other localities of the world were made to illustrate the dynamic epidemiology of several common dermatophytes. The most often isolated dermatophyte in this survey was Trichophyton rubrum having 53.66% of the total for these three calendar years. In a chronological listing of ringworm infections caused by this organism, many areas of the world have reported similar increased incidence of this pathogen. Trichophyton tonsurans was isolated 27.85% of the total. A dramatic increase of this pathogen as a cause of tinea capitis has been observed in most cities of the United States. It has been isolated in 25 different countries of the world. The percentage of isolation of Trichophyton mentagrophytes was 8.56%. This percentage may not be near the true incidence of infection by this dermatophyte because the infections are mild and respond to treatment without the individual seeking medical advice. Since the 1950s the percentage of isolations of the total has dropped for T. mentagrophytes in the United States. Epidermophyton floccosum accounted for 4.36% of the total. In a few areas of the world it causes over 30% of the total of dermatophytoses. Microsporum canis was isolated 3.72% of the total in the United States. It has recently been reported to be the dominant agent of tinea capitis in several South American countries, Tucson, Arizona and Kuwait. Once the dominant pathogen of tinea capitis in children in the United States, it was replaced by Microsporum audouinii before 1960. Today in the United States, M. audouinii only accounts for 0.30% of the total. It is considered eliminated as a pathogen in England. In this survey, isolated less than 1.0% of the total were Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum ferrugineum, Microsporum nanum, Microsporum fulvum and Trichophyton schoenleinii. Trichophyton meginii and Trichophyton terrestre were reported isolated but no numerical data were available.     

Epidemiological trends of neuroendocrine tumours over three decades in Queensland,Australia

IntroductionWhile neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) account for only a small proportion of cancer diagnoses, incidence has been rising over time. We examined incidence, mortality and survival over three decades in a large population-based registry study.MethodsThis retrospective study included all cases (n = 4580) of NETs diagnosed from 1986 to 2015 in Queensland, Australia. We examined directly age-standardised incidence and mortality rates. The impact on overall survival according to demographic factors and primary site was modelled using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression (HR). Cause-specific and relative survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier survival function.ResultsAnnual incidence increased from 2.0 in 1986 to 6.3 per 100,000 in 2015, while mortality remained stable. The most common primary site was appendix followed by lung, small intestine and rectum. Rectal, stomach, appendiceal and pancreatic NETs had the greatest rate increase, while lung NETs decreased over the same period. Five-year cause-specific survival improved from 69.4% during 1986–1995 to 92.6% from 2006 to 2015. Survival was highest for appendiceal and rectal NETs and lowest for pancreas and unknown primary sites. The risk of dying within five years of diagnosis was about 40% higher for males (HR = 1.41, 95%CI 1.20–1.65) and significantly higher for patients aged over 40 years compared to younger patients (p < 0.001).ConclusionThis study, including 30 years of data, found significantly increasing rates of NETs and confirms results from elsewhere. Increasing survival over time in this study, likely reflects increased awareness, improvements in diagnostic imaging, greater use of endoscopy and colonoscopy, and the development of new therapies.     

Epidemiological associations between arsenic and cancer in Argentina

The population of a large central area of Argentina is affected by a syndrome designed as “regional and endemic chronic hydroarsenicism.” A number of types of neoplasms, especially of skin, urinary bladder, and of digestive system, occur with higher frequency in these areas. Drinking water in some of the affected areas contains from 0.1 to 1.2 mg/L of As.     

A short review on dermatophytoses of animals in Romania

Dermatophytoses of animals in Romania are reviewed. Ringworm infections have been found in cattle (whereT. verrucosum was the only isolated agent), horses (the causative organisms beingT. verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes andM. equinum), cats (dermatophytes isolated:M. canis andT. quinckeanum), dogs (M. canis andM. gypseum), fowlsT. gallinae). From the laboratory animals: guinea pigs (T. mentagrophytes, M. audouinii, T. rubrum), mice (T. quickeanum andT. mentagrophytes), rats (T. mentagrophytes), rabbits (T. mentagrophytes andM. canis) and hamster)T. mentagrophytes). Among the wild animals, only the chamois had a ringworm infection byM. gypseum, other large or smaller wild animals harboring only saprophytically some poozhilic and geophilic dermatophytes.     

A study of dermatophytoses in Esfahan (Iran)

The present study determined the extent and causative agents of dermatophytoses in Esfahan, a large city of Iran. Specimens from patients were examined for etiologic agents by direct microscopic procedure and by culture. Out of 12000 patients with skin diseases, 10.8% were affected with dermatophytoses. Among the 10.8% group, lesions of tinea capitis were most common (72.1%) and Trichophyton verrucosum was the most frequent (43.8%) dermatophyte isolated from the patients.We found a relationship between the spread of dermatophytoses and live-stock infected with dermatophytoses.     

Epidemiologic study of dermatophytoses in Salamanca (Spain)

An epidemiologic study of the dermatophytoses in Salamanca (Spain) from 1973 to 1976 was performed. Dermatophyte species were identified in 224 patients with clinical tinea infections; 31 bovines, 18 rodents and 70 soil samples. The prevalence of Trichophyton verrucosum and Epidermophyton floccosum was strikingly high in relation to other statistics. The most common clinical forms were tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Tinea capitis by anthropophilic species was uncommon.     

A study of dermatophytoses in Bangkok (Thailand)

A total of 719 cases of dermatophytoses was studied in the Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, during January to December 1986. Infection caused by fungus comprises 12%, while the incidence of dermatophytoses was 5.5% of skin disorders. The age group commonly infected was 12–21 years old (mean age of 18 years); 40% was female and 47.5% was male. In the female patients the common prevalent infections were tinea corporis 29%, tinea cruris 23%, tinea pedis 16%, while in male patients it was 28%, 39% and 14% respectively. Only 4 species of dermatophytes were isolated. The prevailing ones were: Trichophyton rubrum 66%, T. mentagrophytes 15%, Epidermophyton floccorum 13% and Microsporum gypseum 6%.     

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.     

A comparative study of pollen trends in Genoa and Sanremo (Italy) from 1981 to 1989

Summary Trends of the atmospheric dispersion of the pollens of Urticaceae, Poaceae, Asteraceae,Plantago, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, Polygonaceae, Oleaceae, Betulaceae-Corylaceae,Quercus, Castanea, and Cupressaceae-Taxaceae were studied from 1981 to 1989 in two localities (Genoa and Sanremo) about 120 km apart on the coast of Liguria in Italy. Statistical analysis revealed, in particular, and overall increase in pollen rain in Genoa during the period considered. The following observations were carried out on the pollens of greatest allergological interest: Urticaceae, a slightly increasing trend in Genoa; Poaceae, a moderately increasing trend in Sanremo; Oleaceae, almost parallel, uniform trendsin both centres. The values of this study lies in its ability to point out any increase which may occur over the years in the dispersal of certain allergenic pollens.     

Crystal mimics in cultures of dermatophytes

Summary Formation of crystal mimics, macroconidia-like and perithecium-like structures, is described in cultures of dermatophytes in hair-on-soil cultures and on Sabouraud glucose agar. The way how to recognize these mimics in white and in polarized light is discussed. The abundant crystal formation and the necessity to recognize it in the mycotheca in chlorallactophenol is underscored.

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Zusammenfassung Die Bildung von Krystall-Mimikry, in Form von Makrokonidien und von Perithecien, wird in Kulturen von Dermatophyten in Haar an Erde und an Sabouraud Glucose Agar beschrieben. Die Mittel, wie man diese Mimikry in weissem und in polariziertem Lichte erkennen kann, werden erörtert. Die reichliche Krystallbildung und die Notwendigkeit, sie zu erkennen in der Mykotheka in Chlorallactophenol werden hervorgehoben.

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Resumé L'auteur décrit la formation des crystaux mimiques, des structures comme des macroconidies ou des perithèces, dans les cultures des dermatophytes en Sabouraud glucose agar ou en cultures des cheveux sur sol. Le moyen est discuté comment on peut reconnaître des mimiques en lumière blanche et en lumière polarisée. La formation abondante des crystaux et la nécessité de les reconnaître en servant de la mycothèque en chlorallactophenole est mentionnée.