Dermatophyte agents in the city of São Paulo, from 1992 to 2002

Abstract

SUMMARYDermatophytosis are superficial mycoses caused by fungi that can invade stratum corneum and keratinized tissues. In order to study the frequency of dermatophytes species and the clinical manifestations caused by these fungi, in São Paulo, SP, Brazil, the authors analyzed cultures isolated at the Mycology Laboratory from a selected population (15,300 out-patients of the Hospital das Clínicas, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine of University of São Paulo) from January 1992 to June 2002.The most prevalent dermatophyte was Trichophyton rubrum (48.7%), followed by Microsporum canis (20.9%), Trichophyton tonsurans (13.8%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (9.7%), Epidermophyton floccosum (4.1%), and Microsporum gypseum (2.5%). These agents determined more than one clinical manifestation, i.e., tinea corporis (31.5%), tinea capitis (27.5%), tinea unguium (14.8%), tinea cruris (13.9%), tinea pedis (9.9%), and tinea manuum (1.9%). Clinical variants of dermatophytosis and their relationship to the etiologic agents were studied and the results were compared to those obtained in previous studies in other regions of Brazil and in other countries.

Ocorrência de dermatófitos em amostras de unhas, pés e mãos coletadas de estudantes universitários

“…Das 149 amostras colhidas de estudantes do grupo com lesões, 26 (17,4%) apresentaram somente exame direto positivo, e 19 (12,7%) amostras apresentaram exame direto (3) positivo e cultura positiva para dermatófitos (Tabela 1). Foi identificado T. rubrum em 16 (84,2%) amostras e T. mentagrophytes em 3 (15,8%) amostras.…”

“…Condições climáticas favoráveis à implantação das mesmas são observadas em diversas regiões do Brasil. A maioria dessas infecções encontra-se primariamente concentrada em regiões tropicais, onde persiste um clima quente e úmido, causando relevante problema de saúde pública 3 .…”

Perfil de suscetibilidade a antifúngicos de dermatófitos isolados de pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica

“…1 Over the past few decades, the number of antifungal agents used in clinical practice for the treatment of dermatophytoses has increased. 22 Nevertheless, not all species have the same susceptibility pattern and there is evidence that dermatophytes have become resistant to certain antimycotics.…”

“…1 Epidemiological studies show that this pathology is among the most prevalent in the world and is considered the second most common skin disease in the adult population. 2 It is estimated that 10-15% of the general population may be affected by these microorganisms at some time in their lives.…”

In vitro susceptibility testing of dermatophytes isolated in Goiania, Brazil, against five antifungal agents by broth microdilution method

“…Dermatophytosis, mycotic infections caused by dermatophytes, are commonly related in tropical countries and represent an important public health problem yet unresolved 4 . Trychophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis are the most common species isolated in Brazil as causative agents of dermatophytosis 1,6,7,8,21 .…”