Isolation of Dermatophilus Congolensis From Two New Zealand Cases of Pitted Keratolysis

Abstract

SUMMARY Pitted keratolysis is a skin disease characterized by the appearance of pitted lesions on the pressure‐bearing areas of the soles of the feet and less often affecting the palms of the hands. A coccofilamentous bacterium is consistently seen in microscopic preparations from the lesions and may be the causative agent of the disease. However, there has been some dispute as to the organism's identity because of the isolation of a number of different micro‐organisms, including Streptomyces spp. and a Corynebacterium sp. from previously reported cases. On the basis of histopathological evidence, it has also been suggested that the actinomycete Dermatophilus congolensis might be associated with the condition. In the present study, investigations into the prevalence and laboratory diagnosis of the condition resulted in the isolation of D. congolensis from two cases. The two isolates differed from those usually recovered from cases of dermatophilosis in humans and animals and may represent a hitherto unrecognized biotype of the species.

The medically important aerobic actinomycetes: epidemiology and microbiology

“…There has also been one report in which this microorganism was isolated from a patient's contact lens, but no association with ocular infection was established (51). Microorganisms indistinguishable from D. congolensis have been isolated from patients with pitted keratolysis, which characteristically attacks the soles of the feet (629,646,659 observed most frequently and is pathognomonic. This microorganism may be seen in wet mounts or in smears of clinical material stained with methylene blue or by the Giemsa stain method (Fig.…”

Pitted keratolysis: clinical manifestations in 53 cases

“…There have been some disputes about the aetiological agent, which was identified as Corynebacterium species in 1967 by Taplin and Zaias. 1 Recently, Micrococcus sedentarius 2 and Dermatophilus congolensis 3,4 have also been reported to be the causative agents. PK is usually asymptomatic 5 in the sense of being painless, 4 although hyperhidrosis is commonly associated with this disease.…”

An Update of Pitted Keratolysis: A Review

“…In a study of 142 homeless men in the Boston area (USA) 20.4% had Pitted keratolysis 16 . Prevalence rates have ranged from 1.5% in Japan (evaluation of 4,325 industrial workers) to 2.25% in New Zealand (random evaluation of 490 subjects) 17 . A much higher prevalence of 53% was recorded in volunteer soldiers in a study conducted in South Vietnam where heat, humidity and boots combine to produce a microenvironment that predisposed to the disease.…”