J. Kane

Onychomycosis, Tinea Pedis and Tinea Manuum Caused by Non‐Dermatophytic Filamentous Fungi Nicht‐Dermatophyten‐Fadenpilze als Erreger von Onychomykosen, Tinea pedis und Tinea manuum

Summary: Over 4000 cases of fungal nail, sole and palm infection recorded during a three‐year study period were investigated to determine the prevalence and significance of etiologic agents other than dermatophytes and yeasts. Littmans oxgall agar, which permitted isolation of cycloheximide‐sensitive species but restricted overgrowth by fast growing contaminants, was used to promote isolation of these disease agents. Non‐dermatophytic filamentous fungi made up 2.3 % of the confirmed etiologic agents obtained overall, and constituted 3.3 % of the agents obtained from nail infections. The most common species were Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Hendersonula toruloidea, and Aspergillus sydowii. Scytalidium hyalinum was recorded for the first time from Canada, and an instance of nail infection by Gymnascella dankaliensis was recorded. Only H. toruloidea and Sc. hyalinum caused palm and sole infections.

Potted plants in hospitals as reservoirs of pathogenic fungi

The soils of five potted plants cultivated within a hospital were investigated for the presence of fungal opportunistic pathogens of humans. A total of 16 potentially pathogenic species were isolated, including Aspergillus fumigatus at up to 53.5 colony-forming units (CFU) per gram dry soil and Scedosporium apiospermum (Pseudallescheria boydii) at up to 97.0 CFU/g. Other common species included Phialophora verrucosa and Fusarium solani. Scedosporium inflatum, a recently described emerging pathogen, is reported for the first time from an environmental source. The results of this study, in combination with previous case reports linking mycoses to potted plants and available information on the establishment and dispersal of fungal opportunistic pathogens in indoor habitats, indicate that indoor plant soils constitute a serious mycotic hazard to the immunosuppressed patient.

Tinea corporis caused by microsporum canis report of a nosocomial outbreak

In an unusual nosocomial outbreak, 13 staff and 11 patients in an acute and chronic health care facility were infected with the zoophilic dermatophyte, Microsporum canis. The dermatophyte was apparently introduced into the facility by a single infected patient. Likely modes of subsequent disease transmission include person-to-person contact, handling of contaminated laundry, and use of a shared razor. Infection control measures for managing such outbreaks are discussed.

Infections caused by Trichophyton raubitschekii: clinical and epidemiological features.

Thirty‐eight cases of human infection with the recently described dermatophyte species Trichophyton raubitschekii were studied and a description is presented of the clinical and epidemiological features of infection with this organism. Results revealed the usual preponderance of males (2:1) but a high proportion of individuals of Asian origin (60.5 %) in the infected population. Tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis were the most common infections. T. raubitschekii differed significantly from the more common Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes in being more strongly associated with tinea corporis. Some T. raubitschekii infections produced inflammatory lesions while others clinically resembled those caused by the related species T. rubrum and 7: mentagrophytes. T. raubitschekii could be distinguished from related species by means of special mycological procedures in the laboratory.

Trichophyton fischeri sp. nov.: A saprophyte resembling Trichophyton rubrum

A new species Trichophyton fischeri was isolated as a contaminant on blood agar plates. This fungus is believed to be a saprophyte. It may be confused with T. rubrum. On peptone dextrose agar plate, the growth is white and velvety to cottony. It occasionally forms furrows. The underside of the mature colony is brownish red. Clavate microaleuriospores are common. Trichophyton-type macroaleuriospores are produced occasionally on blood agar and potato dextrose agar. Erythritol does not stimulate T. fischeri to produce a red color on casamino erythritol albumen agar. Closterospore-like projections may be produced on the main filaments on peptone dextrose and potato dextrose agar.

An outbreak of Trichophyton tonsurans dermatophytosis in a chronic care institution for the elderly.

A nosocomial outbreak of dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans var. sulfureum subvar. perforans is reported in a nursing home for the elderly. The outbreak affected six residents and persisted for nine months despite remedial medical and sanitary measures.In a survey designed to determine the potential role of fomites in disease transmission, 129 environmental sites were sampled. A high proportion (22.3%) of the samples yielded T. tonsurans, including samples from beds, floors, and washroom facilities. Methods for the control of dermatophyte outbreaks in chronic care institutions are discussed.

Tinea nigra infection in Canada

The first infection of tinea nigra known to occur in Canada is reported. The infection occurred on the palm of a Canadian boy, 6 years of age, while he was visiting in the Bahamas. Cultural studies identified the causative fungus to be Cladosporium werneckii.

Application of the API YeastIdent system in determining the enzymatic profiles ofNocardia asteroides isolates

Glucose represses production of ammonium in many clinical isolates ofNocardia asteroides growing on bromcresolpurple casein glucose agar. Strains exhibiting this property are designated as group A, while group B represents isolates showing a high degree of proteolytic activity and a resulting rapid increase in pH. Twenty isolates ofN. asteroides were characterized as group A or B. Enzymatic profiles obtained using the API YeastIdent system showed significant enzymatic variation between 12 group B and 8 group A isolates. Proteolytic enzymes which most varied in activity between groups were glycine aminopeptidase, histidine aminopeptidase and leucyl glycine aminopeptidase. As some of theN. asteroides isolates were isolated from asymptomatic patients, it is of interest to consider the possibility of one group being of low virulence while the other is more strongly associated with infection.