Dermatophytes and dermatophytoses in the Milan area between 1970 and 1989

Between 1970 and 1989 we examined 13,019 patients with dermatophytoses in the Milan area, Northern Italy. The results obtained during the 1980-89 period were compared with those obtained in the years 1970-79. From the data collected, tinea corporis emerged as the most frequently observed dermatophytosis, followed by tinea pedis and unguium. As far as dermatophytes are concerned, the dermatological pattern is dominated by Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum. Other species, such as Epidermophyton floccosum, T. mentagrophytes, M. gypseum, T. violaceum, T. verrucosum, T. tonsurans and T. schoenleinii, have progressively become less evident. Other mycetes, such as T. megninii, T. soudanense, M. langeroni, T. vanbreuseghemii, M. ferrugineum, sporadically isolated in the 1970-79 period, have disappeared in recent years. An analysis of the distribution and frequency of the dermatophytes according to the cutaneous area affected is reported.