Epidemiological study of pathogenic fungi in China: 1986 and 1996

Objective An annual decade epidemiological survey of pathogenic fungi of inpatients or out patients includes more than 25 provinces in China has been done in 1986 and 1996. Methods In 1986, there were a total of 9096 strains of pathogenic fungi collected from m ore than 41 units of 25 provinces in China.10 years late, 18 085 strains of pat hogenic fungi from 41 units of 25 provinces were collected from January 1st to D ecember 31st in 1996.Results The results showed that during this decade the prominent pathogenic fungus was Trichophyton rubrum, but its ratio gradually decreased.On the contrary , Candida albicans gradually increased in its ratio from 5th in 1986 to 2nd in 1996. ConclusionThe pathogenic fungi in China have changed greatly i n the past decade from 1986 to 1996.