Isoelectric Focusing Applied to Taxonomic Differentiation of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes Complex and the Related Trichophyton interdigitale Die Anwendung der isoelektrischen Fokussierung auf die taxonomische Differenzierung des Trichophyton mentagrophytes-Komplexes und des verwandten Trichophyton interdigitale

Somatic extracts from dermatophytes of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex and of Trichophyton interdigitale grown on trypticase soy broth were prepared for analytical isoelectric focusing in thin layer polyacrylamide gels over the pH range 4-6.5. A total of 44 strains were studied: 8 Arthroderma benhamiae (4 Americano-European and 4 African races), 4 Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii, 6 Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 26 Trichophyton interdigitale. Laser densitometric analysis revealed two outstanding clusters of profiles. The first one matched with the Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii profile and gathered all the Trichophyton interdigitale strains studied and 4 Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The second one corresponded to the Arthroderma benhamiae profile and gathered 2 Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This isoelectric focusing analysis suggests on one hand that Trichophyton interdigitale might be the anamorph species corresponding to the teleomorph Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii, and on the other hand that Trichophyton mentagrophytes might correspond to two teleomorph species, either Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii or Arthroderma benhamiae.     

Diversity of Antigenic Extracts from the Dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum./Vergleichende Untersuchung von Antigenextrakten des Dermatophyten Trichophyton rubrum

Summary: Glycoproteins isolated from culture filtrates of seven Trichophyton rubrum isolates and an ethylene glycol extract from mycelium were analysed. Antisera were raised against the culture filtrate glycoproteins and against the ethylene glycol extract. A considerable antigenic diversity in the glycoprotein extracts was found using the immunological detection methods: Immunodiffusion, Elisa, Elisa-inhibition and immunoblotting. With immunodiffusion a number of precipitation lines were found, differing for both the culture filtrates extracts individually and the ethylene glycol extract, depending on the antiserum used. With Elisa or Elisa-inhibition different patterns for the respective extracts were also obtained, although no discrimination between the components could be made. Immunoblotting gave the most complete information on the nature of the antigens with respect to molecular weight, amount and protein content and the occurrence in the different extracts. The antigenic diversities for the different isolates may reflect in the host reaction to the invading organism. Zusammenfassung: Es wurden die Glycoproteine aus Kulturfiltraten von 7 Trichophyton rubrum-Stämmen und aus dem Ethylenglykol-Extrakt eines Myzels dargestellt. Gegen diese Antigenpräparationen wurden Antiseren aus Kaninchen gewonnen. Die Glykoprotein-Extrakte wurden mit Hilfe folgender immunologischer Methoden analysiert: Immun-diffusionstest, Elisa, Elisa-Inhibitionstest und Immunoblot. Mit dem Immundiffusions-test wurden mehrere Präzipitationslinien gefunden, die unterschiedlich waren sowohl bei den Kulturfiltraten untereinander als auch gegenüber dem Ethylenglykol-Extrakt, und zwar abhängig von dem jeweils benutzten Antiserum. Mit dem Elisa und dem Elisa-Inhibitionstest wurden ebenfalls unterschiedliche Anti-genmuster gefunden, obwohl die Einzelkom-ponenten nicht diskriminiert werden konnten. Die vollständigste Information ergaben die Immunoblots, in denen die Antigene in den unterschiedlichen Extrakten dargestellt und mit Molekulargewicht und Proteingehalt korreliert werden konnten. Die Antigen-Mannigfaltigkeit der verschiedenen Isolate könnte die Wirtsreaktion gegen den eindringenden Mikroorganismus widerspiegeln.     

First isolation of Trichophyton raubitschekii (syn. T. rubrum) in Europe

Trichophyton raubitschekii is a rare dermatophyte which belongs to the Trichophyton rubrum species complex. Since 1981, only a few cases of dermatophytosis due to this anthropophilic causative agent were published. In this paper the authors report the first cases of Tinea corporis caused by Trichophyton raubitschekii (syn. T. rubrum) in Europe. The patients, one immigrant from Ghana and three from Cameroon, had typical lesions of tinea corporis. Four strains were isolated and characterized by conventional and molecular methods. On morphological and physiological grounds the isolates were identified as T. raubitschekii by the following phenotypical features: (1) velvety colony texture; (2) brown pigment; (3) abundant macroconidia and (4) positive urease activity. Molecular diagnostics were performed by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequence analysis of the ATPase9 intron of the mitochondrial (mt) DNA and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA, respectively. The ITS sequences and SSCP patterns of the ATPase9 intron were found to be identical among the four strains and also when compared to reference strains of T. rubrum. As shown in the present paper, T. raubitschekii is genetically identical to T. rubrum but differs in some phenotypical characteristics. Since misidentification with other dark-coloured dermatophyte variants is possible, medical mycologists should bear in mind the special morphological characteristics of T. raubitschekii (syn. T. rubrum) for future identifications.     

Treatment of disseminated onychomycosis due to Trichophyton rubrum with itraconazole under control of plasma levels

Successful treatment of a disseminated Trichophyton rubrum infection of the nails is reported. Under therapy with 50 mg/100 mg itraconazole daily total remission was achieved after 5 months (finger nails) and 6 months (toe nails) respectively. Plasma levels of itraconazole were determined twice a month to control the regularity of the treatment using HPLC.     

Studies on Dermatomycoses in Dairy Animals/ Untersuchungen über Hautmykosen bei Milchvieh

Summary: The incidence of mycotic dermatitis of dairy animals due to various fungi has been investigated in different parts of Gujarat, India during the period between August, 1980 and March, 1982. A total of 139 samples from 86 cattle, 51 buffalos, and 2 goats having cutaneous lesions were examined for various dermatophytes. Out of the total of samples examined from the cases of dermatitis, 60.4% were found positive for dermatophytes. Of the 65 isolates obtained in culture, 58 were Trichophyton verrucosum, 2 T. mentagrophytes, 2 Microsporum canis, 2 M. gypseum and 1 T. rubrum. Besides, mixed infection of dermatophytes and mites were encountered in 4 animals. Typical ringworm lesions were mainly found in the head and neck regions. Generalized cases however, involving the entire body were observed in 12 calves. The disease was more frequent and severe in young cattle below 1 year of age. Cases of mycotic dermatitis occurred throughout the year but the incidence was high during winter months.
Zusammenfassung: Das Vorkommen von Hautmykosen durch verschiedene Erreger wurde in Gujarat, Indien, zwischen August 1980 und März 1982 untersucht 139 Proben wurden von 86 Rindern, 51 Büffeln und zwei Ziegen mit Hautläsionen auf Dermatophyten untersucht. Bei 60,4% der Proben wurden Dermatophyten gefunden. Es handelte sich bei den 65 Isolaten im einzelnen um Trichophyton verrucosum (58), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2), Microsporum canis (2), Microsporum gypseum (2) und Trichophyton rubrum (1). Mischinfektionen mit Dermatophyten wurden bei 4 Tieren gefunden. Die typischen Mykoseherde fanden sich vor allem an Kopf und Hals. Bei 12 Kälbern wurden auch generalisierte Hautmykosen gesehen. Kälber, die jünger als 1 Jahr waren, erkrankten häufiger und schwerer. Hautmykosen traten während des ganzen Jahres auf, jedoch besonders oft im Winter.     

Epidemiology of the Dermatophytoses in the Florence Area: 1982–84. II. Trichophyton rubrum Infections: Epidemiologie der Dermatophytosen in Florenz und Umgebung:1982–84. II. Trichophyton rubrum-Infektionen

Summary: 41.6% of the dermatophytoses observed in the Dept. of Dermatology at Florence between 1982 and 1984 were caused by Trichophyton rubrum. The most frequent dermatophytoses were tinea pedis, tinea cruris and tinea corporis, all of which particularly affected males. The data are compared to those of a previous study (1979–1981) showing that the incidence of tinea pedis and tinea cruris has increased since then. Certain unusual clinical cases are described.
Zusammenfassung: 41,6% der Dermatophytosen, die in den Jahren 1982 bis 1984 beobachtet wurden, wurden von Trichophyton rubrum verursacht. Die häufigsten Dermatophytosen waren Tinea pedis, Tinea cruris und Tinea corporis, vorwiegend beim männlichen Geschlecht Die Angaben werden mit jenen unserer vorherigen Untersuchungen (1979–1981) verglichen. Eine zunehmende Häufigkeit der Tinea pedis und der Tinea cruris wird beobachtet Es wird über einige besondere klinische Bilder berichtet.     

Cultural evidence for a bullous type of tinea pedis

Maceration, hyperkeratosis and vesicles are well known as typical clinical correlates of dermatophyte infection of the feet. It seems, however, still to be controversial whether bullae also belong to the clinical spectrum. In a 48-year-old female Trichophyton rubrum could be cultured from the fluid obtained by aspiration of an interdigital bulla. In another case Trichophyton mentagrophytes could be isolated from the interdigital space but not from a bulla found on the sole, microscopic investigation, however, being positive. This emphasizes the hypothesis that blisters found on the foot can be due to dermatophytes.     

Degradation of Human Hair by some Dematophytes and other Keratinophilic Fungi: Der Abbau von menschlichem Haar durch einige Dermatophyten und andere keratinophile Pilze

Summary: The ability to degrade human hair by chrgsosponum crassitunicatum, Chrysosporium tropicam, Malbranchea aumntiaca, Wchophyton rubnun and lkichophyton temstre was determined by anatysing pmtem and sulphydryl group in culture fluid. The data showed that among the test organisms Trichophyton terrestre is a strong keratinolytic fungus, while Malbranchea aarantiaca was fonnd to be the poorest m this respect.
Zusammenfassung: Durch Bestimmung von Protein- und Sulfhydryl-Gmppen im Nährmedium wurde bei folgenden Wzen die Fäeit aun Abbau menschlichen Haares beslimmt: Chrysosponum cmdnnkatum, chrysosponm tropicam, Malbranchea aurantiaca, Trichophyton rubrum und Trihophyton ternstre. Es zeigte sich, das lkichophyton ternstre und Malbranchea aurantiaca die dwlchsten kemtinoiyfischen Eigenschaften besaß.     

Erythema mwltiforme in Dermatophytosis

Summary: Erythema multiforme (EMF) due to dermatophytosis caused by Tricho-phyton rubrum has been described in a 64 year old male with grandmal. Specific treatment with oral griseofulvin cleared the condition in 3 weeks time. This case is reported for the rarity of EMF being produced by an anthropophilic dermatophyte, Trichophyton rubrum.
Zusammenfassung: Ein Erythema exsudativum multiforme bei einem 64 jährigen Patienten wird beschrieben, das durch eine Dermatophytose mit Trichophyton rubrum als Erreger hervorgerufen wurde. Eine spezifische Behandlung mit Griseofulvin brachte die Erscheinungen innerhalb von drei Wochen zur Abheilung. Dieser Fall wird berichtet, weil die Verursachung eines Erythema exsudativum multiforme durch den anthropo-philen Dermatophyten Trichophyton rubrum eine Rarität darstellt.     

In vitro susceptibility of dermatophytes from Munich to griseofulvin, miconazole and ketoconazole

Various recent clinical isolates of Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum from Munich were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the microdilution method. Both azoles miconazole and ketoconazole were found to be more active than griseofulvin. Comparatively high inhibitory concentrations of griseofulvin were especially found with Tr. mentagrophytes. On the whole miconazole turned out to be even somewhat more effective than ketoconazole. Considering the minimum inhibitory concentrations found at least some of the strains tested might not be open to eradication in clinical terms with conventional treatment protocols.     

Topical Antimycotic Agents for the Treatment of Superficial Dermatophytoses in Thailand -A Double-Blind Study

Summary: Miconazole and clotrimazole were evaluated for the treatment of superficial dermatophytoses in comparison with tolnaftate and Whitfield's ointment. One hundred and forty patients were selected for a randomized double-blind study. Cure rates as assessed by negative cultures were: clotrimazole 59.3 %; tolnaftate 63.2 % and miconazole 77.8 %. The efficacy of these medications is superior to Whitfield's ointment, clinical as well as mycologic cure rates were the highest with miconazole. Trichophyton rubrum was the most commonly isolated pathogen.
Zusammenfassung: Miconazol und Clotrimazol wurden mit Tolnaftat und "Whit-fieldscher Salbe" in der Behandlung von Oberflächendermatophytosen verglichen. Hun-dertvierzig Patienten wurden für einen randomisierten Doppelblindversuch ausgewählt. Die durch negative Kulturen belegten Heilungsraten waren: Clotrimazol 59,3 %; Tolnaftat 63,2 %; Miconazol 77,8 %. Alle diese Arzneimittel waren wirkungsvoller als die "Whitfieldsche Salbe". Die höchsten klinischen und mykologischen Heilungsraten wurden mit Miconazol erzielt. Trichophyton rubrum war der am häufigsten isolierte Erreger.     

Giant Cell Granuloma in Trichophyton rubrum Infection/Riesenzellgranulom bei Trichophyton rubrum Infektion

Summary: A case of giant cell granuloma caused by Trichophyton rubrum is reported. Clinically the fungus had elicited skin coloured flat topped papules and plaques. Fungal filaments were absent in these areas histologically though skin scales revealed mycelia in KOH mount and grew T. rubrum. The histological findings suggest that histiocytes and plasma cells were mainly involved in the defence against T. rubrum infection in this case.
Dermatophytoses are common in India. Tinea corporis is the second common mycosis in Madras, the first being tinea cruris, and the frequent sites affected are the waist and other areas of the trunk, both in children and adults. The usual type of skin lesions are rings and circinate patches with well defined border. In the present communication we have deseribed an atypical clinical and histological presentation by T. rubrum.
Zusammenfassung: Bericht über einen Fall eines Riesenzellgranuloms bei oberflächlicher Trichophyton-rubrum-Infektion.
Klinisch hatte der Pilz hautfarbene flache Papeln und Plaques hervorgerufen. Während histologisch Pilzelemente nicht nachgewiesen werden konnten, fanden sich im Nativpräparat Mycelien und in der Kultur Trichophyton-rubrum-Kolonien. Der histologische Befund deutet an, daß bei diesem Fall in erster Linie Histiozyten und Plasmazellen die Abwehr gegen die Trichophyton-rubrum-Infektion übernommen hatten.     

Contact dermatitis due to ciclopiroxolamine

We report a case of contact dermatitis because of ciclopiroxolamine milk in a 43-year-old woman with tinea pedis and onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum. Ciclopiroxolamine is regarded as a weak sensitiser because of the few allergic reactions described in relation to its widespread use.     

In-vitro and in-vivo anti-Trichophyton activity of essential oils by vapour contact

The minimum inhibitory doses (MIDs) of essential oils by vapour contact to inhibit the growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum on agar medium were determined using airtight boxes. Among seven essential oils examined, cinnamon bark oil showed the least MID, followed by lemongrass, thyme and perilla oils. Lavender and tea tree oils showed moderate MID, and citron oil showed the highest MID, being 320 times higher than that of cinnamon bark oil. The MID values were less than the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values determined by agar dilution assay. Furthermore, the minimum agar concentration (MAC) of essential oils absorbed from vapour was determined at the time of MID determination as the second antifungal measure. The MAC value by vapour contact was 1.4 to 4.7 times less than the MAC remaining in the agar at the time of MIC determination by agar dilution assay. Using selected essential oils, the anti-Trichophyton activity by vapour contact was examined in more detail. Lemongrass, thyme and perilla oils killed the conidia, inhibited germination and hyphal elongation at 1-4 micrograms ml-1 air, whereas lavender oil was effective at 40-160 micrograms ml-1 air. The in-vivo efficacy of thyme and perilla oils by vapour contact was shown against an experimental tinea pedis in guinea pigs infected with T. mentagrophytes. These results indicated potent anti-Trichophyton action of essential oils by vapour contact.     

Hand, Foot and Nail Disease — a Common Manifestation of Chronic Dermatophytosis./Hand-Fuß-Nagel-Befall — eine häufige Erscheinungsform der chronischen Dermatophytose

Summary:  A retrospective study of 83 patients with dermatophytosis verified by culture and a duration of disease exceeding one year was performed. Among these chronic patients males dominated (70%) and Trichophyton rubrum was isolated in 87% of cases. Tinea pedis is no Ionger the most common exponent of chronicity. Multiple localization of lesions increased with the disease duration and in 67% of chronic cases the infection started in the interdigital area, proceeded to the glabrous skin of the foot and to the toe-nails, finally affecting palms and fingernails. Predisposing factors were found in 19% of the cases and atopy was registered in a few only. It appears that with the increasing incidence of T. rubrum infections a specific syndrome is developing in chronic patients characterized by affection of hand, food and nail with no obvious linking to atopy.
Zusammenfassung:  Es wurde eine retrospektive Verlaufsanalyse an 83 Patienten mit kulturell gesicherter Dermatophytose von mehr als 1jähriger Dauer durchgeführt. Unter diesen chronisch kranken Patienten überwogen Männer (70%), und in 87% aller Fälle war Trichophyton rubrum isoliert worden. Bei chronischer Dermatophytose ist die Tinea pedis nicht mehr die häufigste Erscheinungsform. Multiple Lokalisationen werden mit längerer Erkrankungsdauer häufiger, und bei 67% chronischer Dermatophytosen beginnt die Infektion im Interdigitalraum, dehnt sich auf die glatte Haut der Füße und auf die Zehennägel aus und befällt schließlich Palmarregion und Fingernägel. Prädisponierende Faktoren lagen bei 19% der Patienten vor, Atopie wurde nur in wenigen Fällen gefunden. Offenbar entwickelt sich mit dem gehäuften Auftreten von T. rubrum - Infektionen ein spezifisches Syndrom an chronisch-kranken Patienten, das durch den Hand-Fuß-Nagel-Befall charakterisiert ist und keine Beziehung zur Atopie erkennen läßt.     

Comparative studies on keratinase production of Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains of animal origin

Summary. Over a period of 28 days, 10 Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains were examined for their ability to secrete keratinolytic enzymes. Production of enzymes was stimulated by various keratins used as substrates. Duration and intensity of keratinase secretion were strongly influenced by the keratinous substrate. Duration and intensity of the enzyme production also differed among the 10 dermatophyte strains. Five different enzymes were isolated with molecular weights ranging from 28 kDa to 65 kDa. The different enzymes might be produced by different varieties of the species Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
Zusammenfassung. Über einen Zeitraum von 28 Tagen wurden 10 Trichophyton mentagrophytes -Stämme hinsichtlich ihrer Föhigkeit zur Sekretion keratinolytischer Enzyme untersucht. Die Keratinasebildung wurde durch verschiedene als Substrat verwendete Keratine stimuliert. Die Stärke und Dauer der Keratinasesekretion wurde sowohl von den verwendeten, Substraten als auch von den verschiedenen, untersuchten Stämmen beeinflußt. Es konnten 5 verschiedene Keratinasen mit Molekulargewichten zwischen 28 kDa und 65 kDa isoliert werden. Die Bildung verschiedener Keratinasen ist möglicherweise durch die Zugehörigkeit der Hautpilze zu verschiedenen Varietäten der Spezies Trichophyton mentagrophytes bedingt.     

In vitro growth of human pathogenic fungi on different stocking fabrics

Athlete's foot and onychomycosis can be aggravated due to inappropriate footwear. In this study we examined whether stockings of synthetic and mixed fabrics may influence the growth behaviour of the commonly isolated fungi Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida albicans. A standardized suspension of each fungus was given to each sample of twelve stockings of different materials. The size of the growing colonies and the velocity of their growth were measured and compared to each other. Based on our data stockings depending on their fabric mixture seem to support or inhibit respectively the growth of fungi. Stockings composed of polyamide and a high percentage of polyurethane (Elasthan) and silk stockings as well may likely promote the fungal growth.     

Eine neue Methodik zur physikalischen Farbbewertung von Pilzkulturen:* A New Method of Colour Evaluation in Fungus Cultures

Zusammenfassung: Es werden die Ergebnisse von spektralphotometrischen Untersuchungen einiger auf Sabouraud Nährboden (2% Glukose) gezüchteter Kulturen von Trichophyton rubrum vorgestellt. Die Reflexions-, Transmissions- und Absorptionsspektren dieser Kulturen wurden im Strahlungsbereich von 200 nm bis 900 nm (UV-C, UV-B, UV-A, sichtbares Licht, IR-A) ermittelt. Durch eine anschließende, rechnerunterstützte Auswertung kann die Farbe im Bereich der Pilzkolonie sowie die des Nährbodens eindeutig festgelegt werden. Summary: Trichophyton rubrum cultures on Sabouraud agar with 2% glucose were submitted to spectral photometric investigations. Reflection spectra, transmission spectra and absorption spectra of the cultures were measured in the range between 200 nm and 900 nm (UV-C, UV-B, UV-A, visible light, IR-A). The exact colour values for both cultures and nutritient media could be defined by means of a computer assisted evalution.     

A case of tinea corporis purpurica

We present a case of tinea corporis purpurica localized to the legs of a 47-year-old woman. Trichophyton rubrum was the aetiological agent. So far, only a single report has been made on tinea corporis purpurica. Although the exact mechanism of purpura formation is unknown, we postulate the virulence of the fungal strain and host immune response to play a role.     

Tinea capitis due to Trichophyton rubrum in adult women

Summary. Two unusual cases of tinea capitis due to Trichophyton rubrum in adult women are reported.
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG. Es wird über zwei ungewöhnliche, durch Trichophyton rubrum verursachte Situationen von Tinea capitis bei erwachsenen Frauen berichtet.