Human infections by Microsporon Gypseum in Romania

Summary Over a period of 10 years (1955–1965), 21 cases of human infections byM. gypseum have been observed in Romania. The patients were from 4 to 74 years of age, 8 females and 13 males. Most of the lesions affected the glabrous skin, the herpetiform type being the main aspect. The dysidrotic type of tinea manum et pedis were observed in 2 patients. Scalp involvement byM. gypseum was seen in 7 cases (five of them resembling Kerion). One case of tinea barbae was also found. Various types of hair invasion were detected, either endothrix (like in favus), or ectothrix (microsporia or Kerion-like), but fluorescence failed. The soil was the source of infection in 11 cases; an animal origin was suspected in 2 patients (M. gypseum was isolated from all the soil specimens, which was incriminated as probable source of the patients' infection).