The change of dermatophyte spectrum in dermatomycoses

The spectrum of dermatophytes out of mycotic skin lesions had changed in last 70 years. Before the Second World War in Germany Microsporum audouinii and Epidermophyton floccosum held the first position, since the fifties of last century Trichophyton rubrum is the most frequently isolated dermatophyte accounting for 80-90% of the strains, followed by T. mentagrophytes. This development is typical for Central and North Europe and is connected with the increase in the incidence of tinea pedis. In contrast to this, in Southern Europe and in Arab countries zoophilic dermatophytes, such as M. canis and T. verrucosum, are the most frequently isolated dermatophytes. An analysis of the frequency and distribution of tinea pedis in different occupations and the route of infection is also reported. The epidemiologic findings are contrary to the assumption that patients are genetically predisposed to T. rubrum infection in a dominant autosomal pattern.