A Clinical and Mycological Studies on Tinea Pedis / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Tinea pedis is the most common dermatophytosis in Korea. It has been increased gradually with time and the proportion of that in the aged has been significantly increased. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of tinea pedis according to the clinical types and their mycologic findings. METHODS: A clinical and mycological study was performed with 212 cases of tinea pedis among outpatients examined for 9 months from March 2005 to November 2005 at Department of Dermatology of the 11 University Hospitals in Korea. RESULTS 1. The age distribution showed patients in their 50s and 60s to be the most common. The ratio of male to female was 1.33:1 2. The most frequent clinical type was interdigital only type (55.2%), interdigital hyperkeratotic type (39.8%), vesicular type (2.8%) and interdigital vesicular type (2.2%), in descending order. There are no hyperkeratotic only type and hyperkeratotic vesicular type. 3. The duration of tinea pedis was longer than 5 years in 73.1%. The proportion of interdigital hyperkeratotic type was the highest in longer than 10 years of duration group than in other duration groups. 4. The rate of coexistent dermatophytosis with tinea pedis was 19.3%, and tinea cruris was the most common (10.3%). 5. The positive culture rate was 73.1%, and Trichophyton(T.) rubrum was the most common isolates (93.5%) followed by T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (3.9%) and T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (2.6%). CONCLUSIONS: All these findings suggest that the prevalence of tinea pedis in the aged was high, longer duration of the disease was more common and the rate of coexistent dermatophytosis increased. Further studies about tinea pedis and other dermatophytosis in the aged person will be necessary.

A Clinical and Mycological Study of Tinea Pedis / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Tinea pedis is the most common dermatophytosis in Korea. It has been increased gradually with time. Its characteristics may change with social environments. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of tinea pedis according to clinical type and its mycologic findings. METHODS: We performed clinical and mycological studies on 74 patients with tinea pedis among outpatients clinic of Department of Dermatology in Yeungnam University Hospital and Catholic Skin Clinic for 3 months, from January 2005 to March 2005. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The age distribution showed patients in their 60s and older than 60s to be most common. The ratio of male to female was 1.32:1 2. According to clinical types, the ratio of interdigital type was the highest (50%), followed by interdigital combined hyperkeratotic type (44.6%), interdigital combined with vesicular type (4%) and vesicular type (1.4%). There are no hyperkeratotic type and hyperkeratotic combined vesicular type. 3. The duration of longer than 5 years of tinea pedis was 73%. The proportion of interdigital combined with vesicular type was more common in its duration of longer than 10 years than its duration of less than 10 years. The durations of vesicular type and interdigital combined vesicular type were more than 5 years. 4. The rate of family history of tinea pedis was 52.7%. The broader area of involved site in the patients was, the higher the positivity in family history. 5. The rate of coexistent dermatophytosis with tinea pedis was 82.5%, and tinea unguium was the most common (79.7%). 6. The positive rate of culture was 68.9%, and Trichophyton(T.) rubrum was the most common isolates (96%) followed by T. mentagrophytes (4%). Compared with previous studies, age of patients with tinea pedis was older and duration was longer, the rate of coexistent dermatophytosis was increased, especially in tinea unguium.

A Clinical and Mycological Study of Dermatophytosis Associated with Animal Contact / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Dematophytes are classified into geophilic, zoophilic and anthrophilic fungi, based on their ecological traits. Zoophilic dermatophytosis primarily is responsible for infection in animals, and the inflammatory reaction often tends to be more severe than skin lesions inflicted by anthrophilic species. For the clinical manifestation of superficial dermatophytosis caused by these zoophilic dermatophyte are highly variable, a through review of history about the contact with these animals is often solicited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical and epidemiological zoophilic dermatophytosis associated with animal contact, in an effort to elucidate the link between the causative organism and the route of infection. METHOD: We performed clinical and mycological study on 63 cases of dermatophytosis associated with prior animal contact at the department of dermatology, Konkuk University Hospital from September 2004 to August 2005. RESULT: The ratio of male to female patient was 1: 1.17 and showed more prevalence in female. The age distribution of patients was highest in the age group of 10 years (22.2%). The exposed area (71.4%) was more frequently affected than unexposed area (28.6%) and the most common site was face and forearm. Single lesions were 41 cases (65.1%). Dogs, cats, and rabbits were the most common culprits in animal contact-associated dermatophytosis, each comprising 19, 15, and 10 respectively, of total cases. Hamsters, Guinea pigs, miniature pigs, and miscellaneous (cattles and birds) were among other causative animals. Twenty nine patients with dermatophytosis had accompanying diseases. In the age group of under 10 years old, 6 patients were being treated with atopic dermatitis; in the age group of under 40 yrs, 15 were being treated with diabetes, and 3 with pulmonary tuberculosis, and 1 with rheumatoid arthritis. These evidences support the fact that underlying conditions renders patients susceptible to opportunistic infections. In all age groups, M. canis and T. mentagraphytes var. mentagraphytes were the most predominant species, with most of them in the age groups of teens and twenties. In patients who had contact with dogs, M. canis was recovered in 8 cases, T. mentagraphytes var. mentagraphytes in 7 and M. gypseum in 3. In those patients who had contact with cats, M. canis was found in 6, and T. mentagraphytes var. mentagraphytes in 3, M. gypseum in 2, and T. verrucosum in 1 case. In those who had contact with hamsters, 2 cases each of M. canis, T. mentagraphytes var. mentagraphytes, and M. gypseum were recovered. CONCLUSION: As evidenced above, contact with specific animals play an important role in the pathogenesis of dermatomycosis. As the leisure and recreational activities of people become more diverse and more extensive, and as the influx of exotic domestic animals increases, and frequent contact with people from abroad makes the manifestation of this disease more complex, it would be wise for us to strive to come up with an effective strategy for prevention and epidemiological studies.

A Clinical and Mycological Study of Tinea Faciale / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Tinea faciale is a dermatophyte infection of glabrous skin of the face except bearded areas of the adult male. Tinea faciale usually has been classified as tinea corporis but recently recognized as a separate disease entity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation of clinical and mycological features of tinea faciale. METHODS: We performed clinical and mycological study on 46 cases of tinea faciale at the department of dermatology, Konkuk University Hospital from September 2001 to August 2004. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: 1. The age distribution of patients was highest in the age group of 10 years or under (34.8%). The ratio of male to female patient was 1: 1.4. The seasonal distribution of patients was highest in autumn. 2. Among 46 cases, dermatophytes were isolated in 37 cases. They were Trichophyton (T.) rubrum (19 cases), Microsporum (M.) canis (9 cases), T. mentagrophytes (6 cases), M. gypseum (2 cases), and Epidermophyton (E.) floccosum (1 case). 3. Although there was no notable discrepancies among the age groups, in both T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes. M. canis was found to be more frequent as the main causative organism in the age group of 10 years or under. According to seasonal variation, there were no significant differences among T. rubrum species. M. canis was seen more frequently during winter season, and T. mentagrophytes in spring. 4. There were no significant difference in clinical variations of tinea faciale according to the type of dermatophytes. Coexisting fungal infections were found in 10 patients and tinia corporis was most frequently.

A Clinical and Mycological Study of Tinea Corporis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Tinea corporis includes all superficial dermatophyte infections of the skin other than those involving the scalp, beard, face, hands, feet, and groin. The most common lesion is an annular lesion with central clearing area. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation of clinical and mycological features of tinea corporis. METHOD: We performed clinical and mycological study on 105 cases of tinea corporis at Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University Hospital from August 2002 to October 2003. RESULTS: The ratio of male to female was 1: 1.02. Tinea corporis was most prevalent in the twenties. Of the clinical variants of tinea corporis, the annular type was most commonly noted. Sixty-nine cases (66%) had the single lesion. In 71 cases (67.7%), the size of individual skin lesion was less than 5 cm in diameter. The unexposed area (55.7%) was more frequently affected than exposed area (44.3%) and the most common site was anterior chest (20.1%). Coexisting fungal infection was found in 60 cases (57.1%), and the cases of tinea pedis was the most common. Forty-five cases (42.9%) had a history of contact with animals that were thought be to infection source. Among 105 cases, dermatophytes were isolated in 73 cases. They were Trichophyton (T.) rubrum (58 cases), T. mentagrophytes (8 cases), Microsporum (M.) canis (5 cases), M. gypseum (1 case), and T. tonsurans (1 case). No species specificity was noted in annular type, and M. canis was more commonly isolated from the smaller lesion. CONCLUSION: Zoophilic dermatophyte infection associated with prior contacts with animals and infection caused by introduced species are increased by rise of families breeding animal pets and more frequent abroad interchanges.

A Clinical and Mycological Study of Superficial Fungal Diseases (VIII) / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Superficial fungal infections are common diseases in the dermatologic conditions. The prevalence of superficial fungal diseases is not static but change under the influence of various factors such as climate, migration of people, and development in prophylaxis and therapy. OBJECTIVE: The authors performed this study to investigate the present status of superficial dermatophytoses and some changes on the frequency of the diseases, sex distributions and varieties of the causative organisms. METHODS: The clinical and mycological study of superficial fungal diseases on 2,115 patients who had visited Department of Dermatology, University Hospital and Yongsan Hospital, College of Medicine, Chung Ang University between July 1992 and June 1994 were performed. RESULTS: 1) The incidence of superficial fungal diseases to total number of outpatients(8,048) was 26.3%(2,115 cases). 2) Superficial fungal diseases showed high incidence in fourth (22.3%), third(22.2%), and fifth decade(17.9%). 3) The ratio of male to female was 2.3:1(1,478:637). Especially in patients with tinea(T.) cruris, which was the most prominent disease showing male predominance, the sex ratio was 15.9:1. 4) The monthly prevalences of superficial fungal diseases were high in July(16.5%), June(13.1%), and August(12.3%), respectively 5) The incidence of each type of superficial fungal disease was the highest in T. pedis(21.4%), followed by T. cruris(17.6%), candidiasis(17.6%), T. corporis(13.5%), T. unguium(13.3%), T. versicolor(9.6%), T. manus(5.1%), and T. capitis(1.9%). 6) There were coexisting fungal infections in 426 patients(20.1%), and the case of T. pedis with T. unguium was the most common. 7) The positive rate of KOH scraping was 57.4% and the positive rate of culture on ordinary Sabouraud's dextrose agar media was 48.6%. 8) The most common cultured organism was Trichophyton(T.) rubrum(39.1%), followed by Candida species(34.6%), T. mentagrophytes(23.0%), Microsporum canis(2.0%), Epidermophyton floccosum(1.2%), and T. ferrugineum(0.2%). CONCLUSION: These results are not significantly different from those of previous studies. But the incidence of the superficial fungal diseases(26.3%) was higher than previous studies and showed a high incidence in young male patients and in warm season. The positive rate of KOH scraping(7.4%) was lower than previous studies. The most common causative organism was T. rubrum.

A Clinical and Mycological Study of Tinea Pedis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: In tinea pedis, the response of treatment and prognosis are different according to clinical types. Positivity in KOH mount and causative agent in culture are also different. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and mycologic findings of tinea pedis according to the clinical type. METHODS: A clinical and mycological study was conducted with 97 cases of tinea pedis among out patients examined for 7 months from June 1994 to December 1994 at Yeungnam University Hospital and Catholic Skin Clizic, Taegu, Korea. RESULTS: 1. Age distribution showed patients in their fourth decade to be most common. The ratio of male to female was 1.2: 1. The distribution of patients by clinical type was interdigital type, interdigital combined with hyperkeratotic type, interdigital combined with vesicular type, hyperkeratotic type, and hyperkeratotic combined with vesicular type, in descending order. One to five years was the most comrrion duration of tinea pedis. Duration of tinea pedis was the shortest in the vesicular type, otherwis was longer in hyperkeratotic type. Rate of family history of tinea pedis was 54.6%. The larger the size of family was, the higher the positivity in family history. The rate of coexistent dermatiophytosis with tinea pedis was 39.1%, and tinea unguium was the most common one. 2. The isolated dermatophytis were T. rubrum, 90.7%, T. mentagrophytes, 7.2%, and T. rubrum rnixed with T. mentagrophytes, 2.1%. T. rubrum showed an even distribution in all clinical types of tinea pedis whereas T. mentanophytes was isolated only in the interdigital type, vesicular type, and interdigital combined with vesicular type. T. rubrum mixed with T. mentagrophytes was isolated in the interdigital combine with vesicular type. Distribution of dermatophytes was relatively even arnong the age groups. T. rubrum showed a relatively even distribution in duration of tinea pedis, but T. mentagrophytes was isolated in tinea pedis with shorter duration.

A Clinical and Mycological Study of Tinea Corporis / 대한피부과학회지

The clinical and mycological investigation was made with 68 cases of tinea corporis who had visited the Dermatologic Clinic of N.M.C. from Nov. 1985 to Oct. 1988. The results were as follows : 1. The ratio of male to female was 1.1: 1, and tinea corporis was most preva lent in the twenties. 2. 25 cases (36.8%) had a history of contact with infected animals or soil. 3. 75% of cases had less than 2 lesions. The exposed area was more frequently affected, and the face being the most frequent site. 4, Concurrent infection of tinea corporis with other types of dermatophytosis were noted in 33 cases (48.8%), and the most common was tinea pedis. 5. From the 68 cases, 49 organisms composed of 4 species were isolated, which were T. rubrum (32 cases), M. Canis (11 cases), T. mentagrophytes (5 cases) and M. gypseem (1 case). 6. Of the clinical variants of tinea corporis, the annular type was most comm only noted. No species specificity was noted in annular type, but T. rubrum was the major causative organism of eczematous and plaque type, and M. canis was the only isolated organism in herpetiform type. 7. As compared with other dermatophytes, M. canis was more commonly isolated from the smaller lesion.