2005 Volume 115 Issue 2 Pages 145-150
We reported five cases of tinea corporis and two cases of tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans (T. tonsurans) in judo and sumo wrestlers. Skin and/or hair samples from all the patients were examined by microscopic examination with 10% KOH and cultured in Sabouraud’s dextrose (2%) agar. Furthermore, PCR-RFLP analysis was performed to identify the fungal strains. All of these isolates were determined to be T. tonsurans. All seven patients noticed that their teammates or competitors also had similar skin eruptions, indicating that T. tonsurans spread through judo and sumo practice matches. This is the first report of a T. tonsurans epidemic in sumo teams. We should take prompt measures to prevent the spread of the T. tonsurans epidemic, particularly in body contact sports.
