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The aim of the study was to analyze the Microsporum canis infections in the Rijeka area, Croatia, observed between 1990 and 2001. A total of 724 cases of dermatophytosis caused by M. canis were diagnosed in 320 individuals with the tinea capitis and 404 with tinea corporis. The M. canis infections constituted 32.8% of all dermatophytes isolated during the study period.

Zusammenfassung Die Haufigkeit von Dermatomykosen und ihr Erregerspektrum im Raum Rijeka, Nordwestkroatien, wurde im Zeitraum vor und wahrend des Krieges 1990– 1994 sowie in der Nachkriegszeit 1995– 1999 analysiert. Insgesamt 20463 Patienten mit klinisch manifesten Dermatomykosen wurden an der Klinik fur Dermatovenerologie in Rijeka untersucht. Im Zeitraum 1990-1994, waren 2462 Proben positiv, im Zeitraum 1995– 1999. waren 2250 Proben positiv. Die am haufigsten isolierten Dermatophyten waren Trichophyton mentagrophytes und Microsporum canis, gefolgt von Microsporum gypseum, Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton verrucosum und Trichophyton rubrum. Die grossere Anderung im Dermatophytenspektrum wurde in der Nachkriegszeit beobachtet, verursacht durch die Bevolkerungswanderung aus den anderen Regionen nach Rijeka. Dies zeigte sich mit dem Verschwinden von T. verrucosum und T. rubrum und dem Auftauchen von Trichophyton violaceum. Diese antropophile Art wurde die dritthaufigste. Unsere Befunde wurden mit denen aus fruheren Studien in der selben Region und mit den aus anderen Landern verglichen.

The frequency of dermatomycoses as well as the spectrum of causative agents in the Rijeka area, northwestern part of Croatia, in the periods before and during the war (1990-1994) and in the postwar period (1995-1999) were analyzed. A total of 20 463 patients with clinically suspected dermatomycoses referred to the Department of Dermatovenerology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, was examined. In the period from 1990 till 1994, 2462 samples were positive, compared with 2250 positive samples during the period from 1995 to 1999. The most frequently isolated dermatophytes were in both periods Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis, followed by Microsporum gypseum, Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton verrucosum and in the first period T. rubrum. An intensive change in composition of the flora was observed in the postwar period, mainly connected to the migration of population from other regions to the Rijeka area. This was demonstrated by a disappearance of T. verrucosum and T. rubrum and by an eruptive occurrence of Trichophyton violaceum. This antropophilic species became third representative in the postwar period, followed by M. gypseum, and E. floccosum. Our data were compared with those obtained in the same area in previous studies, and with results obtained in other countries.