TRICHOPHYTON RUBRUM INFECTIONS - A CLINICAL, MYCOLOGIC AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

[摘要] Clinical observations and mycologic identification of cultures from 70 patients with T. rubrum infections are presented. Common and some uncommon lesions produced by T. rubrum were observed. The latter included hyperkeratotic ridged flexion creases of the palms, follicular and nodular lesions of the leg, dermatitis-herpetiformis-like lesions and recurrent lymphangitis associated with acute infections of the toe webs. Mixed infections with Candida albicans or T. mentagrophytes were found in 8 patients. C. parapsilosis was repeatedly cultured with T. rubrum from the nails of 4 patients. A series of 43 isolates of T. rubrum obtained from the 70 patients and 3 sent from Puerto Rico were studied for a correlation between the mycologic characteristics of the isolates and the lesions from which they came. No differences were found in morphology, in requirements, pigment production or virulence of the fungi studied that could be correlated with the clinical lesions. Culturing T. rubrum in autoclaved soil was of value in preventing and reverting pleomorphic changes. Experimental inoculation of the skin of guinea pigs and of rabbits was successful. In addition to loose invasion of the hair by T. rubrum in guinea pigs, compact sheaths of arthrospores were noted with one of the isolates. Experimental inoculation of the skin of 2 patients succeeded in reproducing lesions seen in T. rubrum infection.