Survey of Trichophyton tonsurans Infection in the Kyushu, Chugoku and Shikoku Areas of Japan

Abstract

A survey on the infestation of dermatophytosis caused by T. tonsurans was made by inquiry to dermatologists. Patients strongly suggestive of having skin lesions due to T. tonsurans were seen in all areas examined, and were mainly schoolboys, including those practicing judo, of high schools and junior high schools. In Nagasaki, a mycological examination was done on 21 judo students and their teacher in a high school in which a patient with T. tonsurans infection was mycologically confirmed and treated by antimycotics. Mycological examinations failed to isolate T. tonsurans, but even after the examination sporadic cases were reported among the group members. In Saga prefecture, Kyushu, a mycological screening for T. tonsurans infection among judoists and wrestlers in 13 high-schools and 7 junior high schools was done using the blush sampling method. Fifty-six strains of T. tonsurans were isolated from 248 students. The problems concerning the control of this infection were discussed.