Dermatophytes and Keratinophilic Fungi Isolated from Wild Rodents in Korea.
- Author:
Jin Kyung HONG
1
;
Jun Young LEE
;
Baik Kee CHO
;
Shin Ok KIM
;
Sang Jae KIM
;
Jae Bok JUN
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Apodemus agrarius;
Trichophyton mentagrophytes;
Keratinophilic fungi;
wild rodents
- MeSH:
Animals;
Animals, Wild;
Arthrodermataceae*;
Chrysosporium;
Foot;
Fungi*;
Gyeonggi-do;
Hair;
Incidence;
Korea*;
Rats;
Rodentia*;
Scopulariopsis;
Tinea
- From:Korean Journal of Medical Mycology
1998;3(2):147-154
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Animals with zoophilic dermatophytes are important sources of dermatophytoses in man, because zoophilic dermatophytes are frequently transmitted directly or indirectly from domestic and wild animals. Trichophyton(T.) mentogrophytes has a wide range of hosts. Among these, rodents are well-known reservoirs in many other countries. In our country a few sporadic reports of incidence in experimental rats have been reported, but there is no study on the incidence in wild rodents in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of wild rodents as a host of dermatophytes and keratinophilic fungi in Korea. METHODS: Forty-nine wild rodents (Apodemus(A.) agrarius; 44, Crocidura spp; 5) were captured from 6 different regions of Kyungi-do with Sherman traps. Fungi were isolated by using the Mackenzie's brush technique. RESULTS: 1. Isolation rate of dermatophytes from wild rodents in Korea was 16.3%. 2. T. mentagrophytes was isolated from six A. agrarius (12.2%). Isolation rates from dorsum hairs, ventral hairs and feet were 4.5%, 9.1% and 9.1% respectively 3. Other dermatophytes and related keratinophilic fungi isolated were Chrysosporium spp.(65.3%), Scopulariopsis spp.(10.2%) and T. terrestre(4.1%). 4. Chrysosporium. was the most frequently isolated species from four out of six Kyonggi-do regions ranging 58.3%~83.3%. Scopulaiopsis was isolated the most in Kumgwang-myun Ansung-gun, and T. terrestre in Kimpo-gun. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that wild rodents, especially A. agrarius may be the important reservoirs of T. mentagrophytes and other keratinophilic fungi in Korea.
