Generalized superficial mycosis caused by Trichophyton raubitschekii in China: case report and review of the literature

This is a generalized superficial mycosis case from which Trichophyton raubitschekii was isolated. A male adult was presented with a 3-year history of fingernail and toenail changes, and a 50-day history of severe and multiple skin lesions. He also complained of intense itching. T. raubitschekii was identified from every skin lesion (trunk, extremities and nail) through microscopic examination, physiological experiment and DNA sequencing. Generalized superficial mycosis was diagnosed and treated by administering a combination of oral (terbinafine tablets) and topical (naftifine hydrochloride and ketoconazole cream) antimycotic drugs. After treatment, the patient was cured and no recurrence has been observed.

Var. raubitschekii of Trichophyton rubrum as a cause of tinea in Germany

Trichophyton raubitschekii was originally described as a distinct dermatophyte species but is now classified as a variant of Trichophyton rubrum. The variant raubitschekii differs from common strains of T. rubrum with regard to morphology, physiology, epidemiology and patterns of infection. It is mostly found in Africa, Asia and South America, but the literature and our observations reveal that seven patients (four men, three women) with T. rubrum var. raubitschekii-infections were meanwhile seen in Germany. All of them were born in Africa and they suffered from tinea corporis or tinea pedum, but onychomycosis was seen as well. All strains matched the typical characteristics of the variant raubitschekii except that one strain had a minimal capacity to perforate hair. Until now, the strains of T. rubrum var. raubitschekii isolated in Germany were probably imported by migration of the patients and so far no further spreading within Germany was observed. However, such a spreading is likely to occur in the future and therefore a monitoring is needed. This can be achieved only when the variant raubitschekii is looked for in the laboratories and is reported with its full name.

Tinea faciei in an infant caused by Microsporum gypseum simulating a dry impetigo

We report a 14-month-old White boy who was referred to our dermatology unit for evaluation of a skin eruption on his nose. The initial examination led us to the clinical diagnosis of impetigo. The mycologic studies found an uncommon dermatophyte agent, Microsporum gypseum. The main differential diagnosis of tinea faciei is discussed.

A study of dermatophytosis in South West of Iran (Ahwaz)

Two hundred and seventy nine patients suspected of having fungal lesions were examined. Skin scrapping, hair samples and nail clippings were collected from patients. Direct and culture examinations were performed for all samples. About 115 cases of examined subjects had dermatophytosis. Dermatophytosis occurred mainly in adults males (20-29 years). Tinea cruris (24.3%) was the most common type of dermatophytosis followed by tinea pedis (16.5%), tinea corporis (14.8%), tinea ungium (13%), tinea capitis (11.3%), tinea faciei (11.3%), tinea manuum (7%) and tinea barbae (1.7%). Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the most prevalent species followed by Epidermophyton floccosum.