Studies in the Epidemiology of Tinea Pedis: II. Dermatophytes on the Floors of Swimming-Baths

English, Mary P.; Gibson, Mary D.

doi:10.1136/bmj.1.5135.1446

Cited by 45 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…In our study, there was no correlation between the frequency of visits to the swimming pool and the incidence of infection in contradiction with the result of other studies (4,5,8).…”

Section: Mentagrophytes)contrasting

confidence: 57%

Incidence of occult athlete's foot in swimmers

1990

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Athlete's foot is a dermatophytic infection frequently found in adults. This disease is, in some cases, asymptomatic. In order to evaluate the incidence of subclinical infection, we obtained 300 toe-web samples from the fourth interdigital space of 150 regular swimmers. More over, 66 specimens from the pool area were analysed. The method used was the carpet technique described by Mariat et al. (10). The fungal isolates were identified according to standard methods. A list of epidemiological data was completed for every swimmer. In our results, 22 swimmers had positive cultures (15%), 8 of these cases had no lesions (36%). They included 7 infections with Trichophyton mentagrophytes (87.5%) and one with T. rubrum (12.5%). We observed one case with a dual infection. Only one sample from the inanimate environment was positive. This study showed a significant incidence of occult athlete's foot in swimmers. To control this endemic problem, adequate preventive measures must be taken.

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“…In our study, there was no correlation between the frequency of visits to the swimming pool and the incidence of infection in contradiction with the result of other studies (4,5,8).…”

Section: Mentagrophytes)contrasting

confidence: 57%

Incidence of occult athlete's foot in swimmers

1990

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“…Fungal particles are shed from infected tissues and found on the floors of shared bathing facilities (2)(3)(4)(5). Two studies have revealed a higher level of contamination in men's dressing rooms than in women's (2, 4), and a higher rate of tinea pedis in boys than girls has been reported (6).…”

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confidence: 96%

Dermatophytes in a Swimming Pool Facility: Difference in Dermatophyte Load in Men's and Women's Dressing Rooms

Hilmarsdóttir¹,

Haraldsson²,

Sigurdardottir³

et al. 2005

Acta Dermato-Venereologica

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Sir,The frequent dermatophyte infections of swimmer's feet are most likely related to increased exposure to dermatophytes and maceration of skin (1). Fungal particles are shed from infected tissues and found on the floors of shared bathing facilities (2)(3)(4)(5). Two studies have revealed a higher level of contamination in men's dressing rooms than in women's (2, 4), and a higher rate of tinea pedis in boys than girls has been reported (6).In a pilot study of dermatophyte contamination in a swimming pool facility in Reykjavik informal interviews with the swimming pool personnel indicated that the women's area was cleaned more frequently and extensively than the men's area.The aim of the present study was to confirm the differences observed in dermatophyte contamination between the respective dressing rooms and explore whether they were affected by standardization of cleaning methods. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study was conducted in an outdoor swimming pool facility in Reykjavik that receives 500,000-600,000 swimmers annually. The facility is open from 6:50 am to 9:30 pm on weekdays. Swimmers are divided into three age categories: i) <16 years; ii) 16-66 years and iii) >66 years. The indoor facilities examined comprised men's and women's dressing rooms that lead to shower rooms where every swimmer bathes before entering the pool. Men's and women's shower rooms lead to a common corridor, then to the poolside.The study period included all weekdays throughout a 4-week period in March 1999. Samples were taken twice daily, between 10 and 11 am and 4 and 5 pm. Three floor sites were sampled each time, two in men's and women's dressing rooms areas next to the shower rooms, and one in a common corridor leading from shower rooms to poolside. The floors in dressing rooms and shower rooms are tiled, and the corridor floor is covered with a net-like plastic carpet. Weekly samples from seven sites in dressing rooms, shower rooms and corridor were taken before opening hours.Dressing rooms and shower rooms were cleaned thoroughly every night by the use of automated machines (dressing rooms) and with water jets and scrubbing (shower rooms). Chlorinated detergents were used in both areas. During opening hours cleaning was carried out by the shower guards, female in the women's area and male in men's area. The shower rooms were flushed with cold water and the dressing rooms were swept with dry, furry cotton mops that were changed daily. Plastic carpets in the corridor were flushed each night; the cleaning procedure and frequency were kept constant during the study. During the first 2 weeks of the study (period 1), the shower guards maintained their usual cleaning methods. The shower rooms were flushed with cold water every 1-3 hours and in the dressing rooms the floor next to the shower rooms was mopped several times a day in order to keep it dry and non-slippery. The rest of the dressing rooms was mopped 2-4 times a day on the women's side and at least once a day on the men's side. Female personnel claimed that cleaning in the wom...

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“…The pattern of geographical distribution and prevalence are not fixed. They change continually due to influences of climate, human social and antisocial activities, cultural activities, cultural habits, migration and developments in diagnosis and therapy [5][6][7]. Many studies on superficial mycoses in different parts of the world have confirmed that host susceptibility may be enhanced by moisture, warmth, specific skin chemistry, composition of sebum and perspiration, age, heavy exposure and genetic predisposition [8][9][10][11][12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Mycological Study of Superficial Mycoses at the Skin Clinic in Sabah, Malaysia

Mustafa¹,

Rajainthran²,

George³

2014

IJPSI

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Superficial fungal infections are common in Sabah. The skin clinic is a tertiary referral center for dermatological diseases in Sabah, and sees more than 7,000 cases of various skin complaints annually. The study analyses data collated from the skin clinic's medical records as well as fungus culture results from the microbiology diagnostic unit. A total of 7325 subjects were screened for superficial mycoses. Of the 7,325 subjects sampled randomly, 180 (2.5 %) had lesions suggestive of superficial mycoses. A predominance of dermatomatophytoses in the 50 years and above age group was observed. In Sabah State the relative humidity fluctuates between 60 % and 70 % for most part of the year and the area receives heavy rain falls. Thus, the environmental conditions are conducive for development of superficial mycoses.

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Studies in the Epidemiology of Tinea Pedis: II. Dermatophytes on the Floors of Swimming-Baths

Cited by 45 publications

References 3 publications

Incidence of occult athlete's foot in swimmers

Incidence of occult athlete's foot in swimmers

Dermatophytes in a Swimming Pool Facility: Difference in Dermatophyte Load in Men's and Women's Dressing Rooms

A Mycological Study of Superficial Mycoses at the Skin Clinic in Sabah, Malaysia

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