Tinea capitis by Microsporon gypseum

Summary Scalp involvement byM. gypseum was found in 22 children (15 boys and 7 girls), ranging from 1 till 12 years of age, most cases coming from urban areas. Kerion-like manifestation was observed in 9 cases, the rest presenting the superficial form of tinea capitis infection. The main type of hair invasion was ecto-endothrix, but endothrix type was also observed in 4 cases with favus-like aspect. The parasitised hair exhibited no fluorescence. The soil was proved to be the source of contamination in 40 % of the cases, where a trauma had favoured the transmission of the causative agent.     

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.     

A critical survey of 1000 cases of dermatophytosis in the tel aviv area during 1970–1975

Clinical and mycological data on 1000 cases of dermatophytosis seen from 1970 to 1975 are reported. Tinea pedis was present in 44%, T. rubrum being the main causative agent; nail involvement was present in 41% of these cases. Tineainguinalis was present in 13%, 38% of them females, withT. rubrum isolated in 87% and the swimming-pool incriminated as the main source of contamination. There were various manifestations of tinea corporis in 128 patients, withT. rubrum responsible in 91%. Among the 21 cases of tinea capitis, there was one adult female with a kerion-type due toT. violaceum, 4 cases due toM. gypseum and 2 toM. canis. Tinea favosa was seen in 6 patients, all of them females and one with a spreading fungus on the soles and palms. Amonh the 10 cases with tinea barbae,T. rubrum was found in 4,T. tonsurans in 3,T. mentagrophytes in 2 andM. gypseum in one. There were widespread lesions ofT. rubrum located on large areas of the body and including the legs, arms, groins and nails, in 11 patients with other disorders, including diabetes, Cushing's syndrome and lymphoma.It was apparent that the dermatophytic flora of Israel comprises 10 dermatophytes,T. rubrum being the predominant agent of infection (in more than 80%), with a gradually increasing incidence evident. The other agents found in our survey wereT. mentagrophytes, T. violaceum, T. schoenleinii, T. tonsurans (found sporadically),E. floccosum andMicrosporum spp.M. canis andM. gypseum, the latter being reported for the first time in this country.T. verruccosum andT. megnini, mentioned in former publications, were not found in this survey.     

Some data on the occurrence of trichophyton tonsurans in Romania

Summary During the last 12 years,T. tonsurans has been isolated from 250 cases of various mycotic infections, 80% in the adults, the rest in children. The age of infected patients varied from 1 to 66 years, the female being represented by 10%.Most of the cases (93%) involved the hair follicles, 45 of them affecting the bearded area, in which 4 clinical types could be distinguished: the superficial form, the kerion type (in 11% of the cases) and 2 intermediate forms.In 16% of cases,T. tonsurans attacked the scalp, simulating various nonmycotic dermatoses as impetigo, seborrheic dermatitis, tinea amiantacea etc. 5 cases of the scalp infection were found in the adults (3 of black-dot type, the other 2 of superficial tinea capitis). The same variety of clinical manifestations was observed in the glabrous skin, which this species affected in 7% of the cases. It also involved the nails in 2 cases only. T. tonsurans is in continuous decrease in Romania for the last ten years (4% of all the dermatophytes). This dermatophyte remained, till now, the main agent of tinea barbae in Romania. Community epidemics as those caused byM. audouinii andM. ferrugineum have not yet occurred in this country.     

Incidence of Tinea capitis in São Paulo, Brazil

To determine the incidence of tinea capitis in São Paulo, Brazil, an investigation was performed in Private and Public Pediatrics Service involving 4,500 children from 0 to 15 years old during 5 years (1996–2000). Samples were taken from 132 children with suspected fungal infection of the scalp, for direct microscopy and culture. Tinea of scalp was mycologically confirmed in 112 patients (85%). Males were more affected than females in all age groups. Children below 8 years old accounted for more than 75% of the occurrences. Only three cases of tinea capitis were diagnosed in children from 12 to 15 years of age. Tinea capitis was prevalent in 103 cases (91.96%); inflammatory kerion type lesions were diagnosed in 9 patients (8.04%). Microsporum canis (70.5%) and Trichophyton tonsurans (23.2%) were the most common agents followed by T. mentagrophytes (3.6%), M. gypseum (1.8%) and T. rubrum (0.9%).     

Disseminated dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum gypseum in two patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Microsporum gypseum is not a common agent of human dermatophytosis. To the best of our knowledge, this fungus has not been described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. We report a tinea corporis infection with atypical presentation caused by M. gypseum in two patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) studied at the São Paulo Hospital (São Paulo, Brazil).This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comments on the rarity of tinea capitis in india

Summary Cause of the rarity oftinea capitis in India was surmised byAjello to be due to the use of vegetable hair-oils as hair-dressings by Indians. In this paper, experimental evidence has been brought forward to show that one of the hair-fungi,Microsporon gypseum, never penetrates into the human hairs smeared with mustard oil though hyphal filaments ofM. gypseum copiously encircled only the outer surfaces of hairs experimented upon. Clinically also, not a single instance oftinea capitis at our Outdoor Hospital has been noted during the last five years. Completely defatted hairs show three kinds of hair-digestion.The slide-culture technique ofLü (1962) was adopted for the experiments. This technique allowed continuous microscopic examination of hairs throughout. This reveals the first attack of the fungus and progress of the invasion.The first entry of a dermatophyte into the keratin of the hair has been discussed. The properties and nature of keratinolytic enzymes remain, however, undiscovered.     

The occurrence of Microsporon gypseum (Bodin,Guiart & Grigorakis) in soil nematodes

Summary The author gives a brief survey on the prevailing statements of today's soil biology on the occurrence of nematodes in soils, further on their conditions of living and on those of the rapacious fungi as well. On the basis of his own investigations carried out mainly in garden soils of the Hungarian Plain being dressed and undressed with manure, he comes to the conclusion that the occurrence ofM. gypseum cultured by means of the To-Ka-Va method, and on the presence of the nematodes in the soil admit the assumption that the frequent infection of persons engaged in gardening which is generally caused byM. gypseum, is likely to be in correlation with the abundance of nematodes in these soils.     

Epidemiology of the dermatophytoses in the Florence area of Italy: 1985–1990

Between 1985 and 1990 we observed 2085 cases of dermatophytoses in the Florence area of Italy.Trichophyton rubrum andMicrosporum canis were the major etiological agents. 126 cases of dermatophytoses observed during this period were caused byTrichophyton mentagrophytes. Most of the patients came from rural areas or they kept pets.Epidermophyton floccosum ranked fourth in frequency (95 cases). The patients were adults and mainly males, most of whom engaged in sports or lived in group environments.Microsporum gypseum was isolated in 31 cases. Infections occurred directly from contact with soil or domestic animals. We report the principal clinical data concerning these last three dermatophyte infections.     

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%.     

Tinea Infection with Scutula-like Lesions Caused by Microsporum Gypseum in a SLE Patient: Case Report and Literature Review

Scutula are characteristic lesions of tinea favosa or favus; the most frequently identified causative organism is Trichophyton schoenleinii. Although scutula-like lesions were described in Microsporum gypseum infection, their presence on glabrous skin in a patient with SLE has not been reported previously. We report a case of tinea infection with scutula-like lesions caused by Microsporum gypseum in a SLE patient, who was treated with topical terbinafine cream, and the lesions resolved completely. In addition, we reviewed the reported cases about this rare clinical manifestation caused by Microsporum gypseum in the medical literature.     

The occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in texas soil

Summary A total of 137 soils, 27 coming from caves and 110 from outdoor lands of Texas, were examined for the presence of keratinophilic fungi by the use of the ToKaVa hairbaiting technique. Twenty three and 69 fungal isolates, respectively, were recovered from these areas. Microsporon gypseum was the most common isolate, followed byTrichophyton mentagrophytes, andT. terrestre. M. gypseum was recovered from caves in a very high frequency (67 %), in comparison to its presence in the outdoor soils (10 %).Fifteen strains ofChrysosporium, belonging to four species, were isolated. Fourteen of these isolates were recovered from shady areas under trees. None of these had been isolated from Texas soil before.     

Review of dermatophytoses in Galicia from 1951 to 1987, and comparison with other areas of Spain

We have reviewed all the dermatophytoses diagnosed in Galicia during four consecutive 9-year periods 1951–86 and 1987. From 4571 patients, we isolated 3351 fungal strains belonging, in decreasing order of frequency, to the following dermatophyte species: Microsporum canis (25.5%), Trichophyton rubrum (24.6%), T. mentagrophytes (21.4%), Epidermophyton floccosum (11.8%), M. gypseum (5.2%), T. tonsurans (3.9%), T. verrucosum (3.1%), T. schoenleinii (2.5%), T. violaceum (1.2%), T. mengninii (0.3%), M. audouinii (0.2%), T. equinum (0.1%) and T. soudanense (0.1%). Tinea capitis has diminished in frequency since 1951, though there was been a slight increase since 1978; M. canis has always been the most common agent, and between 1951 and 1959 T. schoenleinii was also very frequent but is no longer found. The frequency of tinea corporis, on the other hand, has experienced a considerable increase. Its most common causal agents in the last few years have been T. mentagrophytes, M. canis and T. rubrum. Until 1977 the most common tinea cruris dermatophyte was E. floccosum, but since then it has been T. rubrum. The commonest tinea pedis dermatophytes have been T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes. Tinea unguium and tinea barbae have been the most frequent dermatophytoses, and their commonest causal agents T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes respectively. We have documented the distribution of the various causal agents by location of the lesions, age and source of the patients (private or National Health Service patients), and we have compared the results with those obtained in other regions of Spain.     

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.     

Epidemiologic study of dermatophyte infections in Nigeria (clinical survey and laboratory investigations)

The commonest dermatophyte infection among the referred dermatology cases in Nigeria is tinea pedis, whereas among the surveyed population of school children, the commonest fungal infection was tinea capitis.It was found that the most ubiquitcus causative organism for tinea pedis was E. fluccosum, that for tinea capitis was M. audouinii, while that for tinea corporis was T. soudanese.The source of infection of tinea capitis among the school children was found to be most likely the local barber who serviced the schools in all the villages, and this might explain the high incidence rate of T. soudanese in tinea capitis. Tinea pedis infection is believed to be highly favoured by the wearing of shoes among the senior students. Animals were not a major source of transmission of dermatophytes in Nigeria.No new species of dermatophytes has been identified among the cultured organisms.     

Some observations on fungal succession during decomposition of wool in soil

Fungal succession on woolen baits was studied under laboratory conditions for more than one year. It was found that the initial colonizers on woolen baits are non-keratinophilic fungi, while the late colonizers are keratinophilic fungi. Six phases in total were observed during fungal succession. The successional trends obtained during decomposition of wool in soil samples collected from plain and hilly areas were almost the same, except for the dominant colonization in the last phase, which was constituted byChrysosporium tropicum for the plain, butMicrosporum gypseum andM. fulvum for the hilly area.     

Changes of Dermatophytoses in Southwestern Greece: An 18-Year Survey

The isolation and distribution rate of dermatophytes as causative agents of superficial mycoses of skin, hair, and nails during an 18-year period (1991–2008) at a university hospital are presented. A comparative analysis of epidemiological differences within the first (1991–1999) and the second 9-year period (2000–2008) was performed. Skin scrapings, nail, and hair specimens were examined by a direct microscopic examination and culture. Identification of dermatophyte species was based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of colonies. During the complete period (18 years), 5,971 patients with suspected dermatophytosis were examined. Seven hundred and sixty-nine patients (12.8%) were found positive. Among them, 495 cases (64.3%) were of skin dermatophytoses, 91(11.8%) of hair, and 183 (23.7%) of nails. The most frequent etiological agents were Microsporum canis (54%), Trichophyton rubrum (38%), and T. mentagrophytes (6%). Epidermophyton floccosum, T. tonsurans, T. violaceum, and M. gypseum were responsible only for 16 cases (2%) of dermatophytoses. The prevalence of dermatophytoses seems to decrease significantly from 16.2% (1991–1999)–9.6% during the last 9-year period. The most frequent dermatophyte, M. canis, shows decreasing trends during the last period (from 58.5 to 45.7%), whereas T. rubrum shows an increasing isolation rate (from 35 to 43.6%), respectively. The most common form of dermatophytosis among children remains tinea capitis due to M. canis. The most frequent etiological agent of tinea unguium (81%) is T. rubrum.     

Dermatophytes isolated from patients in University Hospital,Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

A total of 576 dermatophytes were isolated from patients with a variety of skin infections from January 1993 to May 2000. Ten species of dermatophytes were identified: Epidermophyton floccosum (0.7%), Microsporum audouinii (1.1%), M. canis (3.1%), M. gypseum (0.3%), Trichophyton concentricum(3.5%), T. equinum (0.2%), T. mentagrophytes (36.%), T . rubrum (53.8%), T. verrucosum (0.2) and T. violaceum (1.0%). The body sites most frequently affected by dermatophytes were the buttocks, nails and trunk. Anthropophilic dermatophytes made up 60.1% of the isolates; the most common species was T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and M. canis were the two main zoophilic dermatophytes. T. mentagrophytes was isolated from all body sites except the scalp. M. canis was found to be associated with domestic dogs and wasnot isolated from ethnic Malays. The only geophilic dermatophyte was M. gypseum, an uncommon dermatophyte associated with tinea pedis.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Superficial mycoses in Italy

A total of 1244 cases suspected of superficial mycoses were analysed in a period of 12 months in Italy. Dermatophytoses were found in 62.4%; the other common disease was Pityriasis versicolor (44.1%). The predominant speciesEpidermophyton floccosum (34,2%) was strickingly high in relation to other statistics; this species was commonest in tinea cruris. Among the other dermatophytesM. canis was predominant (31.3%) commonest in tinea corporis, followed byT. mentagrophytes (17,8%) andT. rubrum (10,3%). A high rate of yeasts was found in tinea manum (81.6%) and tinea pedis (47.7%).     

Tinea capitis due to Microsporum canis in infants

Three cases of scalp involvement by M. canis in infants are briefly reported. The first was a 2-month-old female with a few erythematous spots on the scalp, the second an 8-month-old male with lesions resembling seborrhoeic dermatitis and the third an 11-month-old male having areas of folliculitis of a kerion type. The father of the second case was found to have a tinea barbae infection due to the same fungus. Stray kittens were the most probable source of infection in all these cases.