Study of Causative Organisms in Pitted Keratolysis / 대한의진균학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pitted keratolysis is a superficial bacterial infection which usually affects the pressure bearing areas of the feet. Some bacterial organisms were identified as etiologic agents, including Corynebacterium species, Micrococcus species and Dermatophilus congolensis. However, in Korea, studies to prove the causative organisms have not been performed. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to identify causative organisms of pitted keratolysis in Korea. METHOD: Twelve normal healthy men and 27 pitted keratolysis patients were enrolled. We cultured the scraped specimens of the stratum corneum and identified the cultured organisms. We compared the cultured organisms of pitted keratolysis group with those of control group. We also compared the distribution of cultured organisms in pitted keratolysis with and without tinea pedis. RESULT: Micrococcus species and Corynebacterium species were identified in pitted keratolysis group much more frequently than in normal control group. In most cases of pitted keratolysis combined with tinea pedis, the identified organisms were Micrococcus species. CONCLUSION: Micrococcus species and Corynebacterium species are thought to be the major causative organisms of pitted keratolysis in Korea. Micrococcus species might play a certain antagonistic role, especially in patients of pitted keratolysis with tinea pedis.