Onychomycosis in a diabetic patient due to Trichophyton gallinae

A 67-year-old female suffering from diabetes mellitus type I revealed brownish-yellow discolouration, subungual hyperkeratosis, and onychodystrophy of several finger nails. Upon culturing of nail specimens, Trichophyton gallinae could be repeatedly identified on Sabouraud glucose agar. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a human infection caused by this species in Germany. T. gallinae is a zoophilic dermatophyte that primarily infects higher animals, but can also be transmitted to humans sporadically. Herein, clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiological aspects of this zoophilic dermatophyte are briefly reviewed.