Epidemiologia e ecologia das dermatofitoses na cidade de Fortaleza: o Trichophyton tonsurans como importante patógeno emergente da Tinea capitis

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is the most common skin infectious disturbance in the world. In this research 2,297 patients were evaluated with suspected clinical lesions of dermatophytosis. It was observed that, 534 (23.2%) patients tested positive for dermatophytes. T. rubrum was the most prevalent specie (49.6%; p < or = 0.05), followed by T. tonsurans (34.4%), M. canis (7%) and T. mentagrophytes (6.2%). When the species isolated was correlated with the respective anatomical localization, it was observed that T. tonsurans was the most frequent isolated in scalp lesions (73.9%; p < or = 0.01). On the other hand, T. rubrum was the main specie involved in body lesions (72.8%; p < or = 0.05). Therefore, in scalp infections it was observed that, there was an absolute prevalence of T. tonsurans. This evidence is different from the statistical data collected in the southeast and south of Brazil, as well as from other areas of the world, which still show M. canis as the most frequent microorganism isolated in Tinea capitis.

Micoses superficiais na cidade de Manaus, AM, entre março e novembro/2003

“…On the other hand, in cities where the climate is cold, people wear close shoes creating a warm and humid environment, which favors the development of dermatophytes. 13 The high incidence of pytiriasis versicolor, which was also observed in a previous study conducted in the city of Manaus, confirms that this is the most frequent mycotic infection in the state of Amazonas. 18,19 A high incidence of pytiriasis versicolor was also observed in the state of Paraiba, where 78% of the study population presented positive results for pytiriasis versicolor.…”

“…[10][11][12] The abusive use of antibiotic, cytostatic drugs and narcotics, as well as immunosuppressive diseases are some factors associated with the raising incidence of superficial mycoses in the last decades. 13,14 Since notification of mycoses is not mandatory, the exact extension of the problem in the Amazon region is unknown. Thus, as a measure of epidemiologic prevention it is important to perform periodical surveys on the frequency of mycoses and their etiological agents in respect to socioeconomic, geographic and climate factors.…”

Dermatophytosis: a 16-year retrospective study in a metropolitan area in southern Brazil

“…Only T. tonsurans changed in ranking; its prevalence was reduced, making it the sixth most common dermatophyte. This is an important finding because in other studies in Brazilian states [13,17,18], this species was among the first ones in ranking, while T. interdigitale ranked fourth place in those states.…”

Microepidemia familiar por Trichophyton tonsurans

“…4,5,6,7 In Brazil, we observed predominance of isolation of this fungus in the North and Northeast regions, but it is also isolated as agent of scalp tinea in different regions of the country, as the Southeast and South. 1,2,3,8,9 This report presents a case of family microepidemic by T. tonsurans involving all of the members of a family where, despite excellent hygienic conditions, the fungus remained viable for several years.…”

“…1,2,3 The integrity of the epidermis behaves as a natural barrier. However, the efficiency of fungal dispersion is closely related to the high production of elements of dissemination, with local humidity a prerequisite for inoculation and survival of the dermatophyte in the skin.…”