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A case of subcutaneous alternariosis caused by Alternaria alternata is reported in a 52-year-old male who underwent kidney transplantation 1 year earlier. The infection manifested as a vegetating mass about 7 cm in diameter on the right forearm. Histological examination with Grocott staining and periodic acid–Schiff diastase revealed fungal spores and hyphae with chronic granulomatous inflammation. Biopsy fragments inoculated on Sabouraud-glucose agar with chloramphenicol produced colonies which were identified as Alternaria alternata on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence ofCandida dubliniensisin oropharyngeal swabs of 132 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and 89 HIV-negative patients was determined. The samples were plated onto CHROMagar Candida medium and 82 strains, presumptively identified asC. albicansorC. dubliniensis, were further investigated (temperature test, chlamydoconidia production, specific primer PCR). In addition, 487 collection strains (isolated from clinical samples and previously identified asC. albicanson the basis of a positive germ tube test) were screened in order to identifyC. dubliniensisisolates. TwoC. dubliniensisstrains were isolated from two HIV-positive patients without oral candidiasis.Candida dubliniensiswas not isolated from 89 HIV-negative patients nor was it identified among the collection strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background It has been reported that azole derivatives are useful in the treatment of dermatophytoses, also in tinea pedis and tinea manuum. Aim The aim of the present multicentre, randomized, double-blind study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral itraconazole with fluconazole in the treatment of tinea pedis and tinea manuum. Patients and methods In this multicenter, double-blind, comparative study, 37 patients with tinea pedis or tinea manus were randomized to receive treatment with itraconazole (100 mg/day) or fluconazole (50 mg/day) for 30 days. Results Two patients were not evaluable for efficacy. Both treatments reduced the number of patients with positive mycological findings, so that at the end of treatment. 64.7% of patients receiving itraconazole and 61.1% of those treated with fluconazole had negative results. Both drugs also resulted in a marked improvement in, or elimination of, all clinical symptoms; however the improvement appeared to occur more rapidly with itraconazole. The overall assessment at the end of the 6 week follow-up showed that 88.2% of patients treated with itraconazole and 72.2% of those treated with fluconazole were cured with negative mycological tests. Adverse events were reported by one patient treated with itraconazole and 5 subjects receiving fluconazole. The only changes in laboratory parameters were elevated SGOT and SGPT values in the patient in the fluconazole group, who dropped out from the study. Discussion The results suggest that itraconazole is at least as effective as fluconazole in the treatment of tinea pedis and tinea manus, the onset of improvement in clinical symptoms is more rapid an prolonged after cessation of therapy with itraconazole, and that itraconazole appears to be better tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 1985 and 1990 we observed 2085 cases of dermatophytoses in the Florence area of Italy. Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis were the major etiological agents. 126 cases of dermatophytoses observed during this period were caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Most of the patients came from rural areas or they kept pets. Epidermophyton floccosum ranked fourth in frequency (95 cases). The patients were adults and mainly males, most of whom engaged in sports or lived in group environments. Microsporum gypseum was isolated in 31 cases. Infections occurred directly from contact with soil or domestic animals. We report the principal clinical data concerning these last three dermatophyte infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors describe two cases of tinea capitis in adults, one due to Microsporum canis and the other to Trichophyton rubrum. The atypical clinical presentation of the dermatophytosis in these two cases is stressed. It is hypothesized that in both cases the disease spread from primary lesions on the face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented about a case of a 29-year-old white male diagnosed with nervus anaemicus, a rare congenital, localized vascular abnormality, usually present at birth or may appear in early childhood.

A case of hair casts in an 8-year-old girl is described. The disorder is rare, the first description dating back to 18971 with a total of only 31 cases reported in the literature since then. 2-8 The results of research conducted using the optic and electron microscopes (transmission and scanning) are recorded. These studies show that the typical lesion consists of two concentric layers of keratinized cells of differing structure: one resembling the inner layer of Huxley's sheath and the outer layer resembling Henle's layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the immunological aspects of a case of tinea capitis in an adult. Tests revealed alteration of the T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio (T4 increase and T8 decrease) and a decrease in polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a physician having tinea of the penis. Tinea cruris is a fairly common dermatophytosis with a frequency that varies from 16 to 31%. The involvement of the scrotum is very uncommon, and the penis is involved only extraordinarily. Dermatophytosis of the scrotum and penis is scarcely evident clinically and is of short duration, usually healing spontaneously. The rare cases of penile dermatophytosis have been reported only in India, probably favored by the use of the "lengoty," the T-shaped undercloth that is tied tightly around the waist and over the genitals.

The article presents a case study of a 77-year-old homeless woman having ram's horn toenails. It discusses results of her physical examination which indicated that all toenails have increased thickness, curvature and overgrowth. It states that the said case demonstrates how the long-term neglect can worsen the classic appearance of onychogryphosis, giving a ram's horn-like appearance.