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Feußner C, Karrer S, Lampl BMJ. An uncommon cause of tinea: Trichophyton violaceum in a German kindergarten - outbreak report and quantitative analysis of epidemiological data from Europe. GMS HYGIENE AND INFECTION CONTROL 2022; 17:Doc02. [PMID: 35284206 PMCID: PMC8899716 DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background: Global mobility is increasingly associated with the emergence of "unusual" infectious agents. At the beginning of 2019, a putative outbreak of Impetigo contagiosa occurred in a kindergarten in Regensburg, Germany, that was mainly attended by children with a migrant background. After thorough examination, the outbreak was classified as infection with Trichophyton (T.) violaceum. Methods: Based on case investigations, infection control measures, disinfection, and cleaning were implemented. Microscopy of native specimens, fungal cultures, and polymerase chain reaction were used for diagnosis. Additionally, a systematic literature search in Medline, followed by a quantitative analysis of epidemiological data from Europe, were performed. Results: Between January and November 2019, 12 cases of tinea were diagnosed in 7 educators and 2 household members. Children were initially not affected. T. violaceum was only detected in 2 patients. No extensive screening measures were carried out after risk-benefit assessment. Studies on T. violaceum in Europe are heterogeneous, and the number of cases and the prevalence vary considerably. The pathogen is mainly found in children of African descent who clinically present with tinea capitis. Discussion: In the present case, the source of infection and the chain of transmission remained unclear. The pathogen could only be diagnosed in 2 cases. In Europe, the (re)emergence of pathogens such as T. violaceum is likely to be caused by increasing migration and travel. Pathogens should be identified for epidemiological reasons in all cases. In outbreaks, measures must be adapted to the dynamics of the individual outbreak after assessment of the risks, benefits, and proportionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sigrid Karrer
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt M. J. Lampl
- Regensburg Department of Public Health, Regensburg, Germany,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany,*To whom correspondence should be addressed: Benedikt M. J. Lampl, Regensburg Department of Public Health, Division of Infection Control and Prevention, Altmühlstr. 3, 93059 Regensburg, Germany, Phone: +49 941 4009 523, E-mail:
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Brescini L, Fioriti S, Morroni G, Barchiesi F. Antifungal Combinations in Dermatophytes. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7090727. [PMID: 34575765 PMCID: PMC8469868 DOI: 10.3390/jof7090727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermatophytes are the most common cause of fungal infections worldwide, affecting millions of people annually. The emergence of resistance among dermatophytes along with the availability of antifungal susceptibility procedures suitable for testing antifungal agents against this group of fungi make the combinatorial approach particularly interesting to be investigated. Therefore, we reviewed the scientific literature concerning the antifungal combinations against dermatophytes. A literature search on the subject performed in PubMed yielded 68 publications: 37 articles referring to in vitro studies and 31 articles referring to case reports or clinical studies. In vitro studies involved over 400 clinical isolates of dermatophytes (69% Trichophyton spp., 29% Microsporum spp., and 2% Epidermophyton floccosum). Combinations included two antifungal agents or an antifungal agent plus another chemical compound including plant extracts or essential oils, calcineurin inhibitors, peptides, disinfectant agents, and others. In general, drug combinations yielded variable results spanning from synergism to indifference. Antagonism was rarely seen. In over 700 patients with documented dermatophyte infections, an antifungal combination approach could be evaluated. The most frequent combination included a systemic antifungal agent administered orally (i.e., terbinafine, griseofulvin, or azole-mainly itraconazole) plus a topical medication (i.e., azole, terbinafine, ciclopirox, amorolfine) for several weeks. Clinical results indicate that association of antifungal agents is effective, and it might be useful to accelerate the clinical and microbiological healing of a superficial infection. Antifungal combinations in dermatophytes have gained considerable scientific interest over the years and, in consideration of the interesting results available so far, it is desirable to continue the research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Brescini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Sanità Pubblica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60020 Ancona, Italy; (L.B.); (S.F.); (G.M.)
| | - Simona Fioriti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Sanità Pubblica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60020 Ancona, Italy; (L.B.); (S.F.); (G.M.)
| | - Gianluca Morroni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Sanità Pubblica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60020 Ancona, Italy; (L.B.); (S.F.); (G.M.)
| | - Francesco Barchiesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Sanità Pubblica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60020 Ancona, Italy; (L.B.); (S.F.); (G.M.)
- Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti Marche Nord, 61121 Pesaro, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-721-36-5505
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Belgian National Survey on Tinea Capitis: Epidemiological Considerations and Highlight of Terbinafine-Resistant T. mentagrophytes with a Mutation on SQLE Gene. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040195. [PMID: 33003309 PMCID: PMC7712443 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In this last decade, a huge increase in African anthropophilic strains causing tinea capitis has been observed in Europe. The Belgian National Reference Center for Mycosis (NRC) conducted a surveillance study on tinea capitis in 2018 to learn the profile of circulating dermatophytes. Methods: Belgian laboratories were invited to send all dermatophyte strains isolated from the scalp with epidemiological information. Strain identification was confirmed by ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) sequencing. Mutation in the squalene epoxidase (SQLE) gene was screened by PCR. Results: The main population affected by tinea capitis was children from 5–9 years. Males were more affected than females. The majority of the strains were collected in the Brussels area followed by the Liege area. Among known ethnic origins, African people were more affected by tinea capitis than European people. The major aetiological agent was Microsporum audouinii, followed by Trichophyton soudanense. One strain of Trichophyton mentagrophytes has been characterized to have a mutation on the squalene epoxidase gene and to be resistant to terbinafine. Conclusions: African anthropophilic dermatophytes are mainly responsible for tinea capitis in Belgium. People of African origin are most affected by tinea capitis. The monitoring of terbinafine resistance among dermatophytes seems necessary as we have demonstrated the emergence of resistance in T. mentagrophytes.
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Leung AK, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL. Tinea corporis: an updated review. Drugs Context 2020; 9:dic-2020-5-6. [PMID: 32742295 PMCID: PMC7375854 DOI: 10.7573/dic.2020-5-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tinea corporis is a common fungal infection that mimics many other annular lesions. Physicians must familiarize themselves with this condition and its treatment. Objective This article aimed to provide a narrative updated review on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of tinea corporis. Methods A PubMed search was performed with Clinical Queries using the key term ‘tinea corporis.’ The search strategy included clinical trials, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and reviews. The search was restricted to the English language. The information retrieved from the mentioned search was used in the compilation of the present article. Results Tinea corporis typically presents as a well-demarcated, sharply circumscribed, oval or circular, mildly erythematous, scaly patch or plaque with a raised leading edge. Mild pruritus is common. The diagnosis is often clinical but can be difficult with prior use of medications, such as calcineurin inhibitors or corticosteroids. Dermoscopy is a useful and non-invasive diagnostic tool. If necessary, the diagnosis can be confirmed by microscopic examination of potassium hydroxide wet-mount preparations of skin scrapings from the active border of the lesion. Fungal culture is the gold standard to diagnose dermatophytosis especially if the diagnosis is in doubt and results of other tests are inconclusive or the infection is widespread, severe, or resistant to treatment. The standard treatment of tinea corporis is with topical antifungals. Systemic antifungal treatment is indicated if the lesion is multiple, extensive, deep, recurrent, chronic, or unresponsive to topical antifungal treatment, or if the patient is immunodeficient. Conclusion The diagnosis of tinea corporis is usually clinical and should pose no problem to the physician provided the lesion is typical. However, many clinical variants of tinea corporis exist, rendering the diagnosis difficult especially with prior use of medications, such as calcineurin inhibitors or corticosteroids. As such, physicians must be familiar with this condition so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kc Leung
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Calgary, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joseph M Lam
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Dermatology and Skin Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kin Fon Leong
- Pediatric Institute, Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kam Lun Hon
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.,Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong
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Deng S, de Hoog GS, Verweij PE, Zoll J, Ilkit M, Morsali F, Abliz P, Wang X, Zhan P, Yang L, Hasimu H, Liao W, Pan W, Seyedmousavi S. In vitro antifungal susceptibility of Trichophyton violaceum isolated from tinea capitis patients. J Antimicrob Chemother 2014; 70:1072-5. [PMID: 25492394 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dku503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Trichophyton violaceum is an anthropophilic dermatophyte that is endemic to parts of Africa and Asia and is sporadic in Europe. T. violaceum mainly causes tinea capitis in both children and adolescents. Although the infections caused by T. violaceum are of considerable medical importance, its antifungal susceptibility profile remains poorly examined. METHODS In this study, we tested the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of a set of clinical T. violaceum isolates obtained from tinea capitis patients, using the CLSI broth microdilution method. We tested eight antifungals and used isolates collected from Western China (21), Eastern China (12), the Middle East (1), Europe (20), South Africa (7) and Canada (1). RESULTS The geometric means of the MICs of the antifungals for all isolates were as follows (in increasing order): posaconazole, 0.021 mg/L; terbinafine, 0.023 mg/L; voriconazole, 0.062 mg/L; amphotericin B, 0.20 mg/L; itraconazole, 0.34 mg/L; caspofungin, 0.56 mg/L; fluconazole, 4.23 mg/L; and flucytosine, 8.46 mg/L. No statistically significant differences in the susceptibility profiles of T. violaceum were detected within the geographical regions tested. CONCLUSIONS Posaconazole, terbinafine and voriconazole were shown to be the most potent antifungal agents against T. violaceum isolates obtained from tinea capitis patients worldwide. These results might help clinicians in developing appropriate therapies that have a high probability of successfully treating tinea capitis due to T. violaceum.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Deng
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China First Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - G S de Hoog
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Peking University Health Science Center, Research Center for Medical Mycology, Beijing, China Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - P E Verweij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J Zoll
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
| | - F Morsali
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran
| | - P Abliz
- First Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - X Wang
- First Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - P Zhan
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L Yang
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - H Hasimu
- First Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - W Liao
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - W Pan
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - S Seyedmousavi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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