Is the Naming of Herpes Simplex Gladiatorum Correct?

Ηerpes Gladiatorum (HG) outbreaks should be regarded as serious long term infections that can have negative consequences on the health of individual athletes and the athletic community as a whole. Purpose: The main goal of this analysis was to provide a scientific basis and evidence that the herpes infections in athletes caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type I (HSV-1), might not be appropriately called Herpes Gladiatorum (HG), but should be renamed as Herpes Luctatorum (HL). Methods: The methodology of the current study was included the use of systematic review of the writings in the ancient Greek and the modern literature. Results: From literature review and careful consideration of sports scenes, we found that the sport in which there was extensive physical contact in antiquity is wrestling, and this is not a “mono- machia” (single combat). Therefore, the herpes simplex dermatological infections could occur at a priority, as well as in quantity in wrestler athletes (Latin: Luctators), and not in Monomachus (Latin: Gladiators). Conclusion: The most appropriate terminology for skin infections caused by HSV-1 in athletes would thus be Herpes Luctatorum and not Herpes Gladiatorum, as has been widely adopted by the medical community.

Tinea Capitis Caused by Trichophyton rubrum in an Adult Woman Judoist / 대한의진균학회지

Tinea capitis occurs mostly in the children and rarely affects adults. The most common cause of tinea capitis is known as Microsporum canis. Trichophyton rubrum is an anthropophilic, commonest dermatophyte affecting man but rarely involves the scalp and hair. A 19-year-old woman, current judo player, presented with 1-month history of hair loss and erythematous scaly macules with brownish crusts on her scalp. The patient was diagnosed as tinea capitis caused by T. rubrum based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the fungus culture. As T. rubrum rarely causes tinea capitis, we assumed this patient might have had contact with T. rubrum on the ground or other players while playing judo, which could be described as tinea gladiatorum.

The Epidemiological, Clinical and Mycological Studies on Trichophytosis Gladiatorum Prevailing Among Korean Wrestlers / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Trichophytosis gladiatorum is dermatophytosis transmitted by a physical contact between wrestlers. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current status of the illness in Korean amateur wreatlers. METHOD: The epidemiological, clinical and mycological studies were performed on dermatophytosis in a total of 1, 394 Korean amateur wrestlers through a nation-wide group examination from July, 1995 to April, 1996. RESULTS: A number of 575 (42.5%) cases of tinea were detected throughout the country among 1, 394 wrestlers. The prevalence rate of tinea in wrestling students was 48.4% for middle school, 41.4% for high school, 30% for college and above. The head and neck area was the predilection site of the skin lesions, which decreased in number as moving towards legs. As a whole, the lesions affected the right half of the body 1.7 times as more frequently as the left half. The tendency of a predilection for the right side of the body was most prominent on the head, typified by auricle (2.8 times). In case of the scalp, the lesions developed on the right temporal, right occipital, left occipital and left temporal regions, in decreasing order. The scalp lesions were noted in 44.7% of the total tinea patients - erythematous scaly patches affecting 69.2% of the total tinea capitis patients, followed by alopecia, black dot ringworm, seborrheic dermatitis-like scales, folliculitits, cervical lymphadenitis, kerion celsi, in decreasing order. From 360 patients (62.6%), dermatophytes were isolated - 359 strains of Trichophyton tonsurans (207 of sulfureum variety, 137 of mahogany variety, 15 of both), 1 of Microsporum canis. The varieties of T. tonsurans showed a tendency to occur in groups in the same districts and teams. CONCLUSION: Trichophytosis gladiatorum due to T. tonsurans is prevailing among Korean wrestler. Proper epidemiological measures must be taken to prevent further spreading of the disease.

The Epidemiological, Clinical and Mycological Studies on Trichophytosis Gladiatorum Prevailing Among Korean Wrestlers / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Trichophytosis gladiatorum is dermatophytosis transmitted by a physical contact between wrestlers. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current status of the illness in Korean amateur wreatlers. METHOD: The epidemiological, clinical and mycological studies were performed on dermatophytosis in a total of 1, 394 Korean amateur wrestlers through a nation-wide group examination from July, 1995 to April, 1996. RESULTS: A number of 575 (42.5%) cases of tinea were detected throughout the country among 1, 394 wrestlers. The prevalence rate of tinea in wrestling students was 48.4% for middle school, 41.4% for high school, 30% for college and above. The head and neck area was the predilection site of the skin lesions, which decreased in number as moving towards legs. As a whole, the lesions affected the right half of the body 1.7 times as more frequently as the left half. The tendency of a predilection for the right side of the body was most prominent on the head, typified by auricle (2.8 times). In case of the scalp, the lesions developed on the right temporal, right occipital, left occipital and left temporal regions, in decreasing order. The scalp lesions were noted in 44.7% of the total tinea patients - erythematous scaly patches affecting 69.2% of the total tinea capitis patients, followed by alopecia, black dot ringworm, seborrheic dermatitis-like scales, folliculitits, cervical lymphadenitis, kerion celsi, in decreasing order. From 360 patients (62.6%), dermatophytes were isolated - 359 strains of Trichophyton tonsurans (207 of sulfureum variety, 137 of mahogany variety, 15 of both), 1 of Microsporum canis. The varieties of T. tonsurans showed a tendency to occur in groups in the same districts and teams. CONCLUSION: Trichophytosis gladiatorum due to T. tonsurans is prevailing among Korean wrestler. Proper epidemiological measures must be taken to prevent further spreading of the disease.