Tinea corporis caused by Microsporum canis: Report of a Nosocomial outbreak

In an unusual nosocomial outbreak, 13 staff and 11 patients in an acute and chronic health care facility were infected with the zoophilic dermatophyte, Microsporum canis. The dermatophyte was apparently introduced into the facility by a single infected patient. Likely modes of subsequent disease transmission include person-to-person contact, handling of contaminated laundry, and use of a shared razor. Infection control measures for managing such outbreaks are discussed.     

Tinea capitis in children in the district of Cagliari, Italy

Summary. Between 1986 and 1995, 4104 children were observed in the Clinic of Dermatology in Cagliari, Italy. Three hundred and thirty-six children (8.2%), 188 boys and 148 girls, aged 1 month to 13 years, were affected by tinea capitis. Microsporum canis was detected in 278 cases (82.7%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 58 cases (17.3%). Systemic treatment with 20–25 mg kg^-1 day^-1 griseofulvin led to complete recovery in 30–40 days. None of the patients relapsed. The epidemiology of the infection was analysed according to age, sex and seasonal progression. Microsporum canis was the preponderant aetiological agent of tinea capitis in children in the district of Cagliari, Italy.
Zusammenfassung. In den Jahren 1986–1995 sind in der dermatologischen Klinik der Universität Cagliari (Italien) 4104 Kinder untersucht worden, wobei bei 336 (8.2%) im Alter zwischen einem Monat und 13 Jahren (188 männlich und 148 weiblich) eine Tinea capitis diagnostiziert wurde. Unter den isolierten Myzeten wurden in 278 (82.7%) Fällen Microsporum canis und in 58 (17.3%) Fällen Trichophyton mentagrophytes gefunden. Die Basisbehandlung mit Griseofulvin 20–25 mg kg^-1 die^-1 hat bei allen Patienten nach 30–40 Tagen zur vollständigen Heilung geführt. Es traten keine Rezidive auf. Das epidemiologische Profil wurde in Beziehung zum Alter, Geschlecht, und jahreszeitlichem Verlauf analysiert. M. canis war der Erreger in den meisten Fällen von Tinea capitis im Kindesalter in der Provinz Cagliari.     

Incidence of dermatophytoses in rabbit farms in Catalonia,Spain, and its repercussion on human health

Over the past decades there has been an important increase in the incidence of dermatophytoses in humans as a result of contact with animals, although etiological agents can vary as can the animals transmitting the disease. A large-scale study was carried out in 220 farms raising rabbits for consumption. Most of the farms (85%) were located in the autonomous community of Catalonia (Spain). Mycological studies showed that 79.5% of the rabbits were infected with Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum. Microsporum canis was isolated in only two animals, which had been imported from France. Healthy animal carriers were detected in 3.2% of the apparently non-infected farms. T. mentagrophytes were also found in samples taken from rabbits' nests and from the sorrounding environment of the two infected farms.In a survey carried out among the staff responsible for the care of the animals, 77% of those working on infected farms suffered or had suffered dermatophytic lesions. This was confirmed in 8 out of 10 cases sampled. Attention is drawn to the high incidence of dermatophytoses in rabbits on farms and the importance of T. mentagrophytes as the etiological agent of tineas in people in close contact with infected animals.     

Prevalence of Dermatomycosis in Sheep in Northern India/Vorkommen von Dermatomykosen bei Schafen in Nordindien

Summary: On clinical examination of 1232 sheep belonging to the urban and rural areas of Punjab (India) lesions of ringworm could be detected in 22 animals giving an incidence of 1.78%. Animals below the age of 6 months were more frequently affected (7.4%), than those above 6 months (1.03%). Culturally, T. verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes and M. gypseum could be isolated from the skin scrapings of four, two and one sheep respectively.
Zusammenfassung: Bei der klinischen Untersuchung von 1.232 Schafen aus der städtischen und ländlichen Gegend von Punjab (Indien) wurden bei 22 Tieren Veränderungen gefunden, die auf eine Hautmykose verdächtig waren (1,78%). Tiere, die jünger als 6 Monate waren, schienen häufiger befallen zu sein (7,4%) als die älteren Tiere (1,03%). Kulturell konnten T. verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes und M. gypseum aus der Haut von 4, bzw. 2, bzw. 1 Tier isoliert werden.     

Disseminated dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum gypseum in an AIDS patient: response to terbinafine and amorolfine

A 51-year-old white male, native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with advanced AIDS and in chronic use of imidazoles for oral candidosis, presented erythematous, desquamative, pruriginous plaques of 1 month evolution on the trunk, inguinal/crural region, and lower limbs. The diagnosis of dermatophytosis was based on the isolation of Microsporum gypseum from scales scraped from the skin lesions. The lesions regressed after 30 days treatment with itraconazole, 100 mg day(-1). After interruption of this antifungal, the mycosis recurred 2 months later, along with a toe onychomycosis also caused by M. gypseum. Attempted reintroduction of itraconazole at higher dose was unsuccessful. Patient responded well to treatment with terbinafine 250 mg day(-1) for 45 days. However, the medication had to be interrupted as a result of the emergence of a disseminated erythematous/papulous rash. Topical treatment with amorolfine cream was then performed, with a good clinical and mycological response.     

The Keratinophilic Fungi in Soils from the Detroit Metropolitan Area/Die keratinophilen Pilze in Bodenproben vom Hauptstadtgebiet Detroit

Summary: The keratinophilic fungi in soils from the Detroit metropolitan area were surveyed by the hair-bait technique. One-hundred soil samples were studied and 92 yielded 172 isolates. Trichophyton ajelloi and its teleomorph, Arthroderma uncinatum, were the preponderant organism, appearing in 58 % of the soils (21% minus, 13% plus, and 24% teleomorphic). Microsporum gypseum and its teleomorph, Nannizzia gypsea, occurred in 33% of the soils (8% teleomorphic). Other isolates were M. cookei (8%) and its teleomorph, N. cajetani (6%); Chrysosporium spp. (46%); Aphanoascus sp. (7%); Ctenomyces serratus (2%); T. terrestre (5%); and 5% were unidentified.
Zusammenfassung: Die keratinophilen Pilze in Bodenproben vom Hauptstadtgebiet Detroit wurden durch die Haar-Köder-Methode überprüft. Hundert Bodenproben wurden analysiert und 92 ergaben 172 Isolierungen. Trichophyton ajelloi und dessen Teleomorphe, Arthroderma uncinatum, waren die überwiegenden Organismen, die in 58% der Bodenprobe (21% minus, 13% plus und 24% teleomorph) gefunden wurden. Microsporum gypseum und dessen Teleomorphe, Nannizzia gypsea, kamen in 33% der Bodenproben vor (8% davon waren teleomorph). Andere Isolate waren: M. cookei (8%) und dessen Teleomorph, N. cajetani (6%); Chrysosporium spp. (46%); Aphanoascus sp. (7%); Ctenomyces serratus (2%); T. terrestre (5%); und 5% blieben unidentifiziert.     

Epidemiology of the Dermatophytoses in the Florence Area: 1982–84.1. Microsporum canis Infections*

Summary: Microsporum canis was the most frequently isolated dermatophyte between 1982 and 1984, with an incidence of 45.19%. This dermatophyte caused almost all cases of tinea capitis (94.99%) and the majority of cases of tinea corporis (75.73%). Some epidemiological data are reported, as well as certain cases with an atypical morphology. Zusammenfassung: Vom Jahre 1982 bis 1984 war Microsporum canis der am häufigsten isolierte Dermatophyt, mit einer Häufigkeit von 45,19%. Dieser Dermatophyt verursachte die meisten Fálle von Tinea capitis (94,99%), wie auch von Tinea corporis (75,73%). Es wird fiber einige epidemiologische Angaben und atypische Bilder berichtet.     

Tinea incognito due to microsporum gypseum

A 41-year-old woman presented with a pruritic rash on the face that was of 3 months duration. During that time, it had been successively misdiagnosed as psoriasis vulgaris, systemic lupus erythematosus, facial dermatitis at other hospitals, and had been treated with agents that included acitretin and prednisone. Finally, fungi were found in the lesions by optical microscopy, and the fungal culture was positive for Microsporum gypseum, and was diagnosed as a Microsporum gypseum infection. The lesions eventually cleared completely after 8 weeks of antifungal treatment.     

Tinea circinata manus due to Microsporum gypseum in a HIV-positive boy in Uganda, east Africa

A 15-year-old HIV-positive Ugandan boy suffered from several dry and hyperkeratotic lesions of his left hand and forearm with circinated, erythematous and scaly morphology. Microsporum gypseum could be isolated as causative agent of this ringworm. Species differentiation was confirmed and specified by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal DNA. Successful topical treatment of the tinea manus was started with clotrimazole-containing ointment.