A Study for the Survival Period of Dermatophytes According to Various Conditions / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite concern about prevention of dermatophytosis, little is known about the survival period of dermatophytes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the survival period of dermatophytes according to various environmental conditions. METHODS: Scales for testing were collected from skin lesions of 25 patients with dermatophytosis. They were categorised into different treatment groups kept scales themselves(S), scales in a humid condition(S+H), scales mixed with sterilized dusts(S+D), and scales mixed with sterilized dusts in a humid condition(S+D+H). They were then cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar once a week until there was no colony growth. Data was evaluated with the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: 1) The mean survival period of Microsporum canis isolated from 5 patients with tinea(T.) capitis was 17.6(S+D+H), 16.6(S+D), 8.4(S+H) and 7 weeks(S). 2) The mean survival period of Trichophyton rubrum isolated from 20 patients of T. corporis, T. cruris, T. pedis & T. unguium was 11.8, 7.4, 9.4 and 12.2 weeks(S+D+H); 7.4, 6.8, 9.2 and 7.4 weeks(S+D); 6.6, 3.4, 8.0 and 10.4 weeks(S+H); 5.0, 2.8, 5.4, 8.2 weeks(S), respectively. CONCLUSION: We found that the survival period of dermatophytes was longest in scales mixed with sterilized dusts in a humid condition.