[Dermatophytes isolated in our clinics. 5-year-study in Zaragoza]. / Dermatófitos aislados en muestras clínicas. Estudio de 5 años en Zaragoza.

BACKGROUND: This review summarizes the different species of dermatophytes isolates in our laboratory between 1991 and 1995. We describe the clinical forms and establish the distribution over this period of time. METHODS: Retrospective survey of samples from outpatients of the Dermatology Service in Miguel Servet Hospital where mycologic cultures are required. The extraction of samples is made by scrapes with a carpet or scalpel and they are cultured on Saboureaud agar with chloramphenicol and dermatophytes agar for 3 weeks. All plates were incubated at 28 degrees C. The identification of isolated strains is made by means of morphologic and physiologic criteria; the doubtful strains were identified in national referral center of Majadahonda CNMVISS. RESULTS: 4004 samples were analyzed from 3934 patients and 543 strains of dermatophytes were isolated. The frequencies were as follow: Microsporum canis (44%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (31.4%), Trichophyton rubrum (18.6%), Epidermophyton floccosum (2.6%), Microsporum gypseum (1.4%), Trichophyton tonsurans (0.7%), Trichophyton verrucosum (0.7%), Trichophyton violaceum (0.2%) y Microsporum audouinii (0.2%). The most frequently observed dermatophytoses were Tinea corporis (54.8%), followed by Tinea unguium (12.6%), Tinea capitis (12.5%), Tinea pedis (8.3%), Tinea manuum (6.3%), Tinea cruris (4.7%) and Tinea barbae (0.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The zoophylic species are the most prevalent in our area and we have observed a raise of Microsporum canis in recent years. It is important to perform mycologic survey in every suspected lesion in older to determinate the true incidence of human dermatophytoses.

[Disseminated zygomycosis by Absidia corymbifera in 2 leukemic patients]. / Zigomicosis diseminada por Absidia corymbifera en 2 pacientes leucémicos.

AIM: The term zygomycosis comprise mycotic infections produced by mucorales and entomophtorales. Mucorales become pathogenic in some conditions, principally diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, trauma or burn. METHODS: We describe two cases of leukaemic patients who developed disseminated zygomycosis by Absidia corymbifera during the aplastic phase by antineoplastic chemotherapy. RESULTS: In both cases, the first symptom was high fever unresponsive to broad spectrum antibiotics neither fluconazole. Initial sites of infection were sinonasal region in one case and bowel in the other one. The diagnosis was confirmed by culture of nasal swab and peritoneal fluid respectively. One patient was early diagnosed and he received prolonged amphotericin B therapy but no surgical debridement. The other one had a postmortem diagnosis at autopsy. None of them survived. Death was directly related to the fungal infection. CONCLUSIONS: Although this infection is infrequent, it must be suspected in high-risk patients because early diagnosis and quick combined therapy appear to improve the prognosis.