Trichophyton tonsurans infection of the scalp

Of 484 cases of ringworm of the scalp observed in a period of two and a half years at a clinic in Los Angeles, 57 (11.78 per cent) were caused by Trichophyton tonsurans, an organism previously considered an infrequent cause of tinea capitis in the United States. The hairs at the site of infection with this organism are distinctively fluorescent when viewed under a Wood light-glowing white rather than green as do hairs infected with microsporum. Endothrix spore formation may be noted in microscopic examination of infected hairs. Material planted on Sabouraud's media grows as a typical crateriform colony. Occasionally variant growths on cultures are obtained. Trichophyton tonsurans may cause either dry, scaly lesions or inflammatory reaction. In the present series the incidence of cure was higher and the period of treatment shorter for patients with the inflammatory variety. Various antifungal preparations were employed for topical application and although the results were extremely variable, it was felt that some benefit was derived from their use. For lesions of the dry, non-inflammatory type, roentgen ray epilation appeared to be the treatment of choice.     

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of various forms of fungal infections caused by Trichophyton tonsurans

In the years 1977-1996 103 cases of mycosis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans with lesions in a variety of locations were treated. T. tonsurans was most often cultured from the feet (61.2%), and toe nails (22.3%), although smaller quantities were also obtained from other locations. In 1990, an endemic focus of superficial ringworm of the hairless skin caused by T. tonsurans was observed in 23 village children. The endemic focus of trichophytos is caused by this dermatophyte gives evidence of a high infectious potential of this species. In favourable circumstances the dermatophyte can cause massive fungal infections also in our geographic region.     

儿童不典型黄癣1例报告及文献复习

报告1例由许兰毛癣菌(Trichophyton schoenleinii)引起的儿童不典型黄癣,患儿临床症状轻微,缺乏蜡黄色、碟形黄癣痂和特殊的鼠臭味等典型临床症状.病发真菌直接镜检见大量不规则菌丝,间生膨大,大小不等、形态不规则的孢子,真菌培养为许兰毛癣菌生长,经分子生物学测序鉴定证实.E-test药敏结果显示伊曲康唑、两性霉素B、卡泊芬净及伏立康唑均敏感.经口服伊曲康唑胶囊及外用2％舍他康唑乳膏治疗基本痊愈.     

Dermatophytosis of tiger caused by microsporum canis

Microsporum canis was isolated from the inflammatory skin lesions of a Bengal tiger in April, 1979. In clinical findings rounded area of alopecia, 3 to 8 cm in size was observed on the right haúnch and the tail. The skin lesions were covered with thin scales, but the inflammatory changes were not severe. Findings, on physical examination, were unremarkable and the animal appeared healthy except for the skin lesions. The infected hairs were invaded by the fungal elements and arthroconidia were around the hair shaft. Cuticles and cortex of the infected hairs were brittle. They were evidently digested and were easily pulled out from the hair follicles. In mycological findings numerous and typical macroconidia were observed. By cross mating of a isolate from tiger andNannizzia otae(–) strain, cleistothecia were produced. Both organic iodide and undecylenic acid ointment were effective for therapy. In this paper the dermatophytosis of tiger caused byM. canis is described.     

Dermatophytes isolated in Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre (Madrid, Spain).

Over a 10 year period (January 1988 - December 1997), 3,241 dermatophyte strains were isolated from 18,465 specimens from patients in whom dermatophytosis was suspected clinically. This represents a 17.5% rate of isolation. Trichophyton rubrum (38.44%), Microsporum canis (28.75%), Epidermophyton floccosum (14.5%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (13.5%) were the dominant species, and Trichophyton tonsurans (2.09%) has emerged, whilst in the previous decade it had virtually disappeared. Our study is basically based on an out-patient selected population, and tinea corporis (30.79%), followed by tinea cruris (16.69%) and tinea unguium (16.69%) were the most prevalent clinical forms.     

Tinea corporis caused by trichophyton mentagrophytes var. Granulosum

Summary A small outbreak of human ringworm caused byTrichophyton mentagrophytes var.granulosum is described. The clinical morphology of some of the inflammatory lesions was more suggestive of nummular eczema or psoriasis than of tinea corporis. The isolation of a granular strain ofTrichophyton mentagrophytes indicated an animal source of these infections. The same organism was isolated from a pet white rat which apparently transmitted the disease.These investigations were supported by a grant from the John. A. Hartford Foundation, Inc., New York, New York and the U.S. Public Health Service Training Grant No. 2A-5289.We wish to thank DoctorErnest Oehl of Philadelphia for referring these patients to the Skin and Cancer Hospital of Philadelphia.     

Dermatophytes Isolated from the Mosques in Tokat, Turkey

Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that invade keratinized tissues such as the skin, hair and nails. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of the potential causative agents of dermatophytosis in the mosque area in Tokat, Turkey. Thirty mosques were included in the study. A total of two hundred samples were collected from various parts of carpets and slippers in the mosques. Positive cultures were obtained in 144 samples (113 from carpets, 31 from slippers). Among the species isolated, Epidermophyton floccosum (n?=?114) (79.2?%) was the most frequent, followed by Trichophyton mentographytes (n?=?13) (9?%), Trichophyton tonsurans (n?=?9) (6.3?%), Trichophyton rubrum (n?=?5) (3.5?%), and Trichophyton verrucosum (n?=?3) (2?%). Contamination of carpets and slippers with dermatophytes may act as a reservoir for transmission of these fungi. Educational health programs, appropriate treatment, and management of disease may provide to control of the spread of fungal organisms.     

In vitro activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium chrysogenum</Emphasis> antifungal protein (PAF) and its combination with fluconazole against different dermatophytes

Strains of five dermatophyte species (Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans) were selected for testing against Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein (PAF) and its combination with fluconazole (FCZ). Inhibition of microconidia germination and growth was detected with MICs of PAF ranging from 1.56 to 200 mug ml(-1) when it was used alone, or at constant concentration (100 mug ml(-1)) in combination with FCZ at from 0.25 to 32 mug ml(-1). The MICs for FCZ were found to be between 0.25 and 128 mug ml(-1). PAF caused a fungicidal effect at 200 mug ml(-1) and reduced growth at between 50 and 200 mug ml(-1). Total growth inhibition with fungistatic activity was detected at 64 mug ml(-1) of FCZ for M. gypseum, T. mentagrophytes, and T. tonsurans, and at 32 mug ml(-1) FCZ for M. canis and T. rubrum. PAF and FCZ acted synergistically and/or additively on all of the tested fungi except M. gypseum, where no interactions were detected.     

Onychomycosis in Ceará (Northeast Brazil): epidemiological and laboratory aspects

Knowledge of epidemiological and mycological characteristics of onychomycosis has been noted by many authors as being an important tool for control of these fungal infections. This study seeks to improve knowledge of onychomycosis epidemiology and mycological features. Samples were taken from infected fingernails and toenails of 976 patients undergoing treatment at a respected Dermatology Center in Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Specimens from 512 patients (52%) were positive for onychomycosis. From the culture-positive samples, yeasts of the genus Candida (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis) were dominant. The dermatophytes isolated (Trichophyton rubrum, T. tonsurans, T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes) were dominant in 46 patients (12.99%). The mould Fusarium spp. was isolated from 29 patients (8.19%). Yeast of the genus Candida is the main causal factor in onychomycosis in our region. Also, the study showed the importance of performing direct examination and culture in diagnosis of onychomycosis.     

Mycological view of dermatophytes in humans.

Dermatophytes are a group of closely related fungi that have the capacity to invade keratinized tissue (skin, hair, and nails) of humans and animals to produce an infection, dermatophytosis, commonly referred to as ringworm. Dermatophytoses are common of world wide: in the United States, Microsporum audouinii and Microsporum canis, once the major agents of tinea capitis, have been superseded by Trichophyton tonsurans. Since the 1950s, T. tonsuranshas advanced from Mexico and the Caribbean and is now the prevalent cause of tinea capitisin North America. M. canisis the prevalent agent of tinea capitis in many regions of the world, including Spain, at this moment. This could be related to close association of humans with their pets. M. canis is more prevalent in urban areas and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in rural ones. The superficial dermatophyte infections of the skin do not represent a single disease, their clinical appearance is dependent largely on the region of the body affected. There are more antifungal preparations available today than at any other time in medical history. Oral antifungals are indicated or required to treat hyperkeratotic areas such as nails, palms, soles and tinea capitis, patients with disabling or extensive disease, patients intolerant to or who have failed topical therapy, tose with chronic infection, those with granulomatous lesions and patients immunosuppressed by disease or by therapy. A successfull eradication of the fungi is now possible with relatively short treatment regimens.     

Antimicrobial activities of N-chloramines and diazolidinyl urea.

A combination of MICs of an N-chloramine, a simple chlorinated amino acid, and diazolidinyl urea gave synergistic activity against bacteria, but not fungi. The two compounds at a higher concentration, 0.1 and 0.3%, respectively, gave synergistic inhibition of fungi; kill times were 1 h for Trichophyton tonsurans, 3 h for Aspergillus niger and Fusarium moniliforme, and 6 h for Aspergillus fumigatus.     

Antimicrobial activities of N-chloramines and diazolidinyl urea

A combination of MICs of an N-chloramine, a simple chlorinated amino acid, and diazolidinyl urea gave synergistic activity against bacteria, but not fungi. The two compounds at a higher concentration, 0.1 and 0.3%, respectively, gave synergistic inhibition of fungi; kill times were 1 h for Trichophyton tonsurans, 3 h for Aspergillus niger and Fusarium moniliforme, and 6 h for Aspergillus fumigatus.     

Studies in the Epidemiology of Tinea Pedis. IX: Tinea Pedis and Erythrasma in New Patients at a Chiropody Clinic

The feet of 259 new patients at a chiropody clinic were examined for tinea pedis, onychomycosis, and erythrasma: 23% of men and 4% of women were infected by dermatophytes, and the nails of seven males were infected by non-dermatophytes. Of 200 patients examined under Wood''s light 37% showed the coral-red fluorescence of erythrasma.Of the 259 patients, 9.7% were infected by Trichophyton interdigitale, 2.7% by T. rubrum, and 1.5% by Epidermophyton floccosum. Reasons are given, based on the method of selection of the patients, for supposing that T. interdigitale is still the dominant cause of tinea pedis in the population at large, despite figures from dermatological clinics suggesting the dominance of T. rubrum. The high incidence of infection in males compared with females corresponds with similar findings in school-children.     

Motile aeromonas infection of striped (grey) mullet Mugil cephalus

Infection of striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) with Aeromonas hydrophila results in an acute septicemic disease. The disease can be experimentally induced by intramuscular injection, skin or gill scarification or by the oral route using pellets purposely seeded with bacteria. The organism was isolated from the blood 1–2 days after infection and from all organs 24 hr or longer after infection. The disease is characterized by early inflammatory and proliferative changes and later necrotic changes. Enteritis and hepatic necrosis are constant findings in aeromonad disease of M. cephalus but surface lesions are not pathognomic for these infections in mullet. Death of infected fish may be attributed to bacterial toxins which cause necrosis of parenchymal organs and soft tissue structure.     

Trichophyton species susceptibility to green and red propolis from Brazil

Aims:  The in vitro antifungal activity of Brazilian green and red propolis was tested against different species of Trichophyton .
Methods and Results:  The antifungal activity of the Brazilian aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the green propolis and the alcoholic extract of red propolis was observed against Trichophyton rubrum , Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton mentagrohytes samples, using as controls itraconazole and terbinafine. The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined following the microdilution method indicated by the 'Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute'. The minimal fungicide concentration was determined by the absence of growth in liquid sabouraud culture medium. The data obtained showed that the green propolis alcoholic extract's antifungal activity was from 64 to 1024 μg ml⁻¹, whereas the red propolis alcoholic extract was from 8 to 1024 μg ml⁻¹.
Conclusions:  The antifungal activity of the red propolis alcoholic extract was more efficient than the green propolis alcoholic extract for all three species studied. The T. rubrum samples were shown to be more sensitive to the antifungal activity of the alcoholic extracts of the propolis.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The antifungal potential of the alcoholic extracts of green and red propolis demonstrated suggest an applicable potential as an alternative treatment for dermatophytosis caused by these species.     

Genotype analysis of the variable internal repeat region in the rRNA gene of Trichophyton tonsurans isolated from Japanese Judo practitioners

Tinea capitis due to Trichophyton tonsurans is currently epidemic among Japanese Judo practitioners. T. tonsurans has seven genotypes in a variable internal repeat (VIR) region of the rRNA gene. All 101 isolates obtained from Japanese Judo practitioners had the identical genotype. This suggests that a specific genotype strain occurs throughout Japan.     

Trichophyton tonsurans allergen. I. Characterization of a protein that causes immediate but not delayed hypersensitivity.

Fungal infections of skin or nails are extremely common and often caused by dermatophyte fungi of the genus Trichophyton. These fungi are unusual in that they can give rise to delayed hypersensitivity (DH) or immediate hypersensitivity (IH) responses. Recently, IH to Trichophyton tonsurans has been demonstrated in patients by skin tests, serum IgE antibody test (RAST), and positive nasal and bronchial challenges. To further investigate the immunology of Trichophyton, a 30-kDa T. tonsurans allergen was isolated by gel filtration and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. This protein, Tri t I, gave a single band on SDS-PAGE, and the 30 amino-terminal amino acids have been determined. Among patients with positive IH skin tests, 34 of 48 (71%) had IgG antibody and 26 of 48 (54%) had IgE antibody to Tri t I. Among those who had positive responses to both skin tests and RAST, 22 of 30 (73%) had IgE antibodies to Tri t I; thus, this protein represents a major allergen. Twelve clones of murine IgG mAb antibodies were produced. Two clones, 2F2-F7 and 6B11-C2, were found to define separate epitopes on Tri t I and were used to develop an immunometric assay for the quantitation of Tri t I. Twenty-three of 38 volunteers with a history of athlete's foot were found to have either IH and/or DH to Trichophyton mix and underwent further testing with purified Tri t I. Of the nine found to have IH to the mix, eight were sensitive to Tri t I. Seven of these eight had IgG and IgE antibodies to Tri t I, by Ag-binding RIA, and all were RAST positive to the unpurified extract. An additional 14 had either DH alone (n = 7) or a wheal and flare response followed by DH at 48 h (n = 7). Of these 14 who had DH responses to Trichophyton mix, only one showed DH to an equivalent quantity of purified Tri t I; among this group, none showed IH or serum IgE antibodies and only one had detectable IgG antibody to Tri t I. The results suggest that the majority of subjects with DH to Trichophyton are responding to a protein other than Tri t I and that the wheal that precedes DH reactions is some patients is not associated with IgE antibodies.     

Occurrences of degeneration in some parasitic dermatophytes

Summary In single hairs taken from the trichophytosis like areas of infection ofMicrosporon audouinii, which was found in the lethal stage of theMicrosporon-endemic, the author could observe a rudimentary spore-production and deformation due to degeneration. He could find similar changes on fungous hyphae in hairs, which have been infected byArthroderma asteroides. Signs of a similar disintegration — which were, however, of different character — could be observed on the filaments of fungi in the lamellae of trichophytosis, caused byTrichophyton felineum. In the author's opinion these changes are to be regarded as consequences of the degradation taking place in fungous strains.     

蒺藜TTS-12对须癣毛癣菌的体内外抗菌活性研究

为考察天然产物蒺藜TTS-12对须癣毛癣菌的体外和体内抗菌活性,本研究采用CLSI的M38-A2方案对须癣毛癣菌进行最小抑菌和杀菌浓度的检测,选取多重指标考察TTS-12对须癣毛癣菌的抑菌作用;建立豚鼠感染须癣毛癣菌豚鼠体癣模型,分组给药观察低、中、高剂量蒺藜TTS-12凝胶剂对豚鼠体癣模型在背部病变程度评分,病灶皮肤真菌培养阴性率,病灶皮肤病理变化的影响。结果发现,TTS-12对须癣毛癣菌的标株菌株的MIC值为1μg/mL,MFC为8μg/mL,其还能够显著抑制须癣毛癣菌的菌丝生长,浓度为4μg/mL的TTS-12作用15天时,菌丝生长抑制率已经高于60%,且对须癣毛癣菌的孢子萌发抑制作用呈时间和浓度依赖性。动物实验中,低、中、高剂量蒺藜TTS-12凝胶剂均能显著降低背部病变程度评分(P<0.01),中、高剂量能增高病灶皮肤真菌培养阴性率(P<0.05),病灶皮肤HE染色切片表明高剂量组棘层肥厚降低,背部炎症减弱,使角质层恢复正常。以上结果表明蒺藜TTS-12在体外抗须癣毛癣菌和豚鼠体癣模型中均有较好的活性。