[Trichophyton tonsurans var. sulfureum subvar. perforans in Tinea gladiatorum]

This is the first report on an isolation of Trichophyton tonsurans var.sulfureum subvar.perforans in Germany. In our patient, the strain had caused typical tinea corporis, which was most likely acquired during a wrestling competition. Based on the macroscopic and microscopic morphology and on the physiologic properties occurring under various growth conditions, the identification of Trichophyton tonsurans and the particular characteristics of its var.sulfureum subvar.perforans are described. Partial 18S and 23S nuclear ribosomal RNA sequences and the internal transcribed spacer region I sequences of our strain were completely identical with those of a Trichophyton tonsurans reference strain. The epidemiology of Trichophyton tonsurans var.sulfureum subvar.perforans and a possible association of this variety with tinea in wrestlers (tinea gladiatorum) have not yet been investigated.