Extensive dermatophytoses caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis in a patient with AIDS

Retrospective studies have shown the occurrence of episodes of deep or superficial fungal infections in 58 to 81% of HIV/AIDS patients as a result of impairment of cell immunity. We describe a case of disseminated cutaneous dermatophytoses caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis in a patients with AIDS. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in relation to this unsual presentation are emphasized as well as the importance of an early mycologic diagnosis to prescribe antifungal therapy.     

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.     

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.     

东南沿海部队皮肤浅部真菌病的调查研究

目的了解东南沿海部队官兵近年真菌菌种构成情况及调查浅部真菌病非高发季节的患病率。方法于11月对浙江地区和福建地区某部队官兵共324人进行浅部真菌病患病情况调查,通过临床检查确定皮肤病种类和感染人(次),对于临床诊断为浅部真菌病的官兵进行真菌镜检证实后明确诊断,并留菌种进行真菌培养。结果真菌感染性疾病患病率为55.2%(324人中179人发病),其中手足癣158人次(48.8%),体股癣35人次(10.8%),花斑癣24人次(7.4%),马拉色菌毛囊炎18人次(5.6%),甲癣5人次(1.5%)。真菌镜检阳性率为76.36%,首位致病菌为红色毛癣菌71株,占84.5%。结论部队尤其是亚热带地区部队,浅部真菌病的患病率较高,不同驻地官兵患皮肤浅部真菌病有差异,而服役年限及兵源与患皮肤浅部真菌病之间无显著差异。     

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%.     

3例不同临床表现的石膏样小孢子菌感染

报道3例由石膏样小孢子菌感染引起的、临床表现不同的皮肤癣病.例1表现为阴囊红色斑片,上覆白色斑点状痂屑,刮去痂屑后见湿润的基底面,患者父亲有同样病变,父子穿用同一件内裤,其父与家猫有密切接触.例2患儿左面部擦伤后局部出现钱币大小红斑,中央为白色痂皮,边缘有渗出伴痒.例3患儿右面部出现钱币大小、边界清楚的红斑,表面有散在的丘疹及少许鳞屑伴痒,偶有家猫接触.3例患者均平素体健.取皮损表面组织直接镜检均发现大量菌丝;真菌培养及鉴定为石膏样小孢子菌.诊断为石膏样小孢子菌所致皮肤感染.3例患者经抗真菌治疗1～2周后痊愈,取得很好疗效.     

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.     

KP-103, a novel triazole derivative,is effective in preventing relapse and successfully treating experimental interdigital tinea pedis and tinea corporis in guinea pigs

The therapeutic efficacy of KP-103, a triazole derivative, for 10 guinea pigs with interdigital tinea pedis or tinea corporis was investigated. Topical KP-103 solution (0.25 to 1%) was dose-dependently effective in treating both dermatophytoses. A 1% KP-103-treatment rendered all infected skins culture-negative on day-2 posttreatment. A high negative-culture rate was obtained with 1% solutions of butenafine and lanoconazole but not with 1% neticonazole solution. The follow up study performed on day-30 and day-9 posttreatment demonstrated that the relapse rates for 1% KP-103-treated animals with tinea pedis and for those with tinea corporis were 20 and 30%, respectively, and that these values were the same as those for 1% butenafine-treated animals, but lower than those for 1% lanoconazole-treated animals (55 and 80%, respectively). When a single dose of 1% KP-103 was applied to the back skin 48 hr before fungal inoculation, 9 of the 10 animals were protected from the dermatophytosis, suggesting that active KP-103 is retained in skin tissue for at least 48 hr after dosing. Moreover, it was suggested that KP-103 retains a high activity in the horny layer because of its lower keratin-affinity. The effectiveness of KP-103 against dermatophytoses may be due to the favorable pharmacokinetic properties in the skin tissues, together with its potent antifungal activity.     

Incidence of keratinophilic fungi in the soil of primary schools and public parks of Madras city,India

The pattern of incidence of keratinophilic fungi inhabiting the soil of 30 primary schools and 15 public parks in the city of Madras was studied using hair baiting technique. A total number of 31 species belonging to 15 genera were recovered, 16 of which were common to both the school and public park soil. Dermatophytes and closely related species were represented by 9 species, of which the following were the most commonly found species in soil: Chrysosporium tropicum (62.2%), C. keratinophilum (48.8%), M. gypseum (48.8%), C. pannorum (40%), T. mentagrophytes (37.7%), T. terrestre (31.1%) and C. anam. A. cuniculi (24.4%). The fungi encountered have also been discussed in relation to their global distribution. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Review of animal mycoses in Australia

This review covers the available literature on the mycoses of animals in Australia since the last review published in 1967. Of the cutaneous infections, dermatophytoses have been recorded in a wide range of animals: cattle, horses, goats, pigs, sheep, cats, dogs, mice, guinea-pigs, rabbits, a lion, kangaroos, a camel, koalas and wallabies. These infections were caused by several species and varieties of the genera,Microsporum andTrichophyton. Eight agents of ringworms have been recorded in the horse. Two subcutaneous mycoses, phaeohyphomycosis and sporotrichosis have been reported. Phaeohyphomycosis is becoming more common but sporotrichosis is rare having been recorded only once in a cat.The following systemic mycoses have been recorded: adiaspiromycosis, aspergillosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis, dactylariosis, fusariomycosis, histoplasmosis, miscellaneous mycoses, mycotic abortion and related conditions, zygomycosis, pythiosis, protothecosis and green algal infections. Cryptococcosis has affected 11 different animal species. Mycotic abortion is a serious disease in Victoria. Pythiosis of horses has been extensively studied in northern Australia.