CULTURAL VARIATIONS OF TRICHOPHYTON PURPUREUM (BANG)

Abstract

During the past three years we have isolated over 200 strains of Trichophyton purpureum from patients exhibiting cutaneous lesions which we have come to recognize collectively as a disease syndrome. The same types of lesions have been observed with sufficient frequency to point to the species of micro-organism. These cutaneous manifestations have been described in some detail.¹Various parts of the body may be affected. The chief sites of involvement are the feet and the hands. The micro-organism is a common cause of onychomycosis. Lesions in the groin are not uncommon. Glabrous cutaneous infections on the extremities or on the trunk are occasionally observed. In a few instances generalized eruptions have been seen. We have isolated T. purpureum from infections of the hair follicles on 5 occasions. Three of the patients had infections of the beard, and in 2 patients the infections were on the leg, in both instances