[Trichophyton violaceum: an emerging pathogen]

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2008 Oct;26(8):502-4.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Population changes taking place in recent years, such as more frequent travel to endemic areas, immigration, and international adoptions, have all contributed to a resurgence of certain pathogens in our geographical area. This is the case of Trichophyton violaceum. A retrospective review was made of all cases of superficial mycosis caused by T. violaceum in patients receiving in-hospital treatment during the years 2000 to 2006. This microorganism accounted for 18.5% of the 275 dermatophytes isolated during the above-mentioned period. In 96% of T. violaceum infections, the lesion manifested as tinea capitis, and all the patients were foreigners. We report in increase of tinea capitis caused by T. violaceum among pediatric patients that appears to be directly related to immigration.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Africa / ethnology
  • Asia / ethnology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / microbiology*
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / statistics & numerical data*
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Latin America / ethnology
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Species Specificity
  • Tinea / epidemiology
  • Tinea / microbiology*
  • Tinea Capitis / epidemiology
  • Tinea Capitis / microbiology
  • Trichophyton / classification
  • Trichophyton / isolation & purification*