Epidemiological Survey of Trichophyton tonsurans Infection in Tohoku District and Its Clinical Problems

Abstract

To research the current status of Trichophyton tonsurans infection in Tohoku District, I sent out a questionnaire to the main dermatology clinics in the Tohoku district. The results showed this infection was found first in spring, 2001 in Miyagi prefecture, and gradually spread from southern to northern districts; the total number of patients is now 162. The number in each prefecture is as follows: Yamagata; 88, Miyagi; 68, Akita; 4, Aomori; 2. In Iwate and Fukushima, however, no cases were reported. By age distribution high school students accounted for 117 (75%), elder patients for 29 (19%), lower age children only 10, and 6 cases were uncertain. Judo players accounted for 113 (70%) and wrestlers for 39 (24%). Family infections were found in two cases. Latent infections were found in several cases, and in one case the infection continued for 2.5 years without clinical symptoms. In my clinic 30 cases were observed beginning in 2001: high school boys accounted for 11, students of a professional school 14, college student 1, adults 3, and those involved in judo 27, wrestling 2 and mixed grappling sports 2. A family infection between a father and his daughter was found. According to the observations in our cases, this fungus easily invaded the hair roots from the early stage of infection, but was not noticed by common external clinical observations. Thus, microscopic examinations are necessary throughout the therapeutic process and to make certain of a complete cure. I think also necessary is the systemic administration of terbinafine or itraconazole for 4 or 6 weeks or more even for tinea corporis. Additionally, I emphasize that culture study is indispensable to confirm the infection by this fungi.