[Surveillance of dermatophytosis and the causative agents among children referred to pasteur institute of Iran from 2005 to 2006]

Superficial fungal infections of the skin, including the dermatophytosis, are a public health problem. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of fungal infections and identify the causative agents of dermatophytosis and other related factors in children in Tehran, Iran. In this descriptive study a total of 984 children aged 2 months to 14 years, who were referred to the Medical Mycology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, in Tehran, in 2005 and 2006, were surveyed for the presence of dermatophytosis infections. All children were referred with a dermatological disorder, for direct examination, fungal culture and identification, and the incidence of each species was calculated. In this study 264 cases were positive for fungal infections. The patients comprised of 182 male and 82 female. This study found a high prevalence of tinea corporis [51.7%] and tinea capitis [36.8%] in the population studied, with high proportions of Trichophyton tonsurans. The most frequently isolated etiological agent was Trichophyton tonsurans [44%], followed by Trichophyton verrucosum [19.6%]. Epidermophyton floccosum [10.5%], Microsporum canis [6.75%] and Trichophyton violaceum [6.75%], Trichophyton rubrum [4.8%], and Trichophyton mentagrophytes [4.8%], and Trichophyton schoenIeinii [2.8%] infections occurred sporadically among patients. A male preponderance [69%] was observed. In the present study 19.7% of our patients participated in wrestling. Our experience has confirmed previous observations that during recent years there has been an increase in incidence of dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton tonsurans, in children. Consequently, development of infection control programs can be a challenging task. These findings suggest that further measures regarding public health and personal hygiene have to be taken to reduce the risk of dermatophytosis in Iran

Study of aspergillosis risk factors in high risk patients

Invasive aspergillosis [IA] is a major opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. Aspergillus is the main cause of mortality due to infection after transplantation and remains a major complication in hematologic malignancies. Despite considerable progresses in infection management, aspergillosis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, mainly after transplantation. During an 11-year period [April 1996 to March 2006], a retrospective study was achieved on 24 patients with aspergillosis in order to identify significant risk factors for invasive aspergillosis. Diagnosis was confirmed by demonstration of fungi in direct preparation and culture techniques. Aspergillosis was more commonly isolated from respiratory tract [75%]. Patients had at least one predisposing factor for aspergillosis. Among patients with solid organ transplantation, kidney transplant patients and chronic granulomatows disease were at the higher risk of developing invasive aspergillosis [IA]. Major advances in management of invasive fungal infections [IFI] have resulted from our understanding of the risk factors for the development of IFI. However, much remains to be done to decrease mortality due to IFI in high risk patients. A high degree of awareness and efforts for an early diagnosis may improve poor prognosis. This study signifies that clinicians should be alerted of potential fungal etiology in cases of fever, which is unresponsive to conventional medical therapy

[Prevalence of fungal infections among wrestlers in Tehran]

The management of skin infections in wrestlers and other athletes in sports involving skin-to-skin contact is challenging, from making an accurate diagnosis to determining eligibility for play. In recent years, skin diseases in wrestling have finally received the attention it deserves. Tinea corporis gladiatorum, caused most frequently by triclophyton tonsurans, infect wrestlers at alarming rates. To control the outbreak, we conducted an epidemiologic investigation. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of tinea corporis gladiatorum in wrestlers club in Tehran. A study of dermatophytosis among wrestlers was carried out during March 2004 to December 2005 in 612 mycologically proven cases of dermatophytosis in wrestlers in Tehran. The wrestler mycologically examination consisting of direct microscopic observation and culture of pathologic material. Diagnosis was based on the macro-and microscopic characteristics of the colonies. Trichophyton tonsurans was the predominant dermatophyte, accounting for 92.6% of all tinea corporis gladiatorum isolates in each of the 2 years analyzed. Tinea corporis gladiatorum was found to be more frequent in 10-20 [72.7%] and follow 21-30 [22.4%] age groups. The wrestlers with tinea corporis gladiatorum were mostly from wrestler clubs in south and southeast of Tehran. Transmission of tinea corporis is primarily through skin-to- skin contact. Practicing wrestling can lead to direct and indirect exposures to transmission of dermatophytes. The rapid identification and treatment of tinea corporis gladiatorum is vital to minimize disruption in team practices and competition, are paramount. Since infection with dermatophytes can disqualify a wrestler from competing in matches, vigilant surveillance and rapid initiation of therapy can reduce the suspension of a team's practice and competition