Dermatophytes and keratin in patients with hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma. A mycological study

Fourteen patients with hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma of the Unna Thost variety were included in the study. Dermatophytosis was found in 7 of the 14 patients. Six were affected with T. rubrum and one with T. mentagrophytes. The growth pattern of dermatophytes in keratin from the patients did not differ from that of normal control individuals. Keratin from patients with hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma was sterilized with ethylene gas and placed in the center of culture plates, previously broad inoculated with control dermatophytes or dermatophytes isolated from patients. An inhibition zone around the keratin was found in 42.9% of the control dermatophytes and in 83.4% of the patient cultures. The inhibition zone was only seen in cultures with T. rubrum and not in those with T. mentagrophytes. No significant difference in minimal inhibitory concentration values against ketoconazole between control dermatophytes and dermatophytes from patients was demonstrated.