Newer Studies on the Epidemiology of Fungous Infections of the Feet

Trichophyton Rubrum Infection in Families

“…In fact, these figures are probably an underestimate of the extent of the disease, for in addition to the verified cases many persons interviewed gave descriptions of typical ringworm of the body in the past and mentioned other members of the family who had left home whose toe-nails were " all yellow and thickened." Marples and Di Menna (1949), Baer et al (1955), Gentles and Holmes (1956, personal communication), and others have noted the long period of exposure before clinical infection of the feet becomes evident: this, as I have reported, has also been my experience. The evidence indicates that some breakdown in personal immunity must precede the onset of clinical disease.…”

“…It is surprising, therefore, that the epidemiology and prevention of the disease have been so neglected. Literature Baer et al (1955) showed the ease with which infective particles can be shed from active mycotic lesions of the feet. After they had soaked the infected feet of 73 patients in footbaths for 15 minutes they were able to demonstrate the presence of fungi microscopically in the water from 54 of the baths, and to obtain cultures of pathogenic fungi from 13 of these.…”

Foot Ringworm in Coal-miners

“…Admittedly, duration of employment is only a rough measure of the time over which the men had used baths, but this apparent lag in the increase of infection has been noticed by other workers (Vanbreuseghem, Peeters, and Tritsmans, 1952). It is consistent with the experimental work of Baer, Rosenthal, Rogachefsky, and Litt (1955) who found it difficult to infect human volunteers. However, this lag is not universal for there was a notable increase in the prevalence rate at Pit B within six months of the installation of baths.…”

“…(c) It may apparently take months of regular daily bathing to cause infection, cf., Vanbreuseghem et at. (1952) and the experimental work of Baer et al (1955). This suggests that both heavy exposure and a breakdown in personal immunity are necessary at one and the same time.…”

Athlete's Foot Fungi on Floors of Communal Bathing-places

“…, Baer et al (1955), Gentles and Holmes (1956, personal communication), and others have noted the long period of exposure before clinical infection of the feet becomes evident: this, as I have reported, has also been my experience. The evidence indicates that some breakdown in personal immunity must precede the onset of clinical disease.…”