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[Tinea caused by Trichophyton equinum]
J Brasch1, R Fölster-Holst, E Christophers
1Universitäts-Hautklinik Kiel.
Summary
This study details the first German human infection with Trichophyton equinum, transmitted from a pony to a child. Prompt treatment resolved the girl's tinea, suggesting host factors influence infection severity.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Dermatology
- Zoonotic Diseases
Background:
- Trichophyton equinum is a fungus typically found in horses.
- Human infections are rare, and the reasons for this rarity are not fully understood.
Observation:
- A 12-year-old girl in Germany was infected with T. equinum, likely from an infected pony.
- The fungus was identified through morphological characteristics, nicotinic acid dependency, hair perforation, and enzyme production.
- Unique white, pleomorphic tufts were observed on T. equinum cultures grown on potato-dextrose agar.
Findings:
- The girl's tinea capitis was non-inflammatory and responded well to topical treatment.
- The pony exhibited severe, persistent inflammatory lesions.
- Enzyme patterns in T. equinum cultures were similar to more pathogenic dermatophytes, suggesting enzymes are not the sole factor in human infection rarity.
Implications:
- The rarity of human T. equinum infections may be due to a combination of host predisposing factors and close contact with infected equines.
- Human infections, while rare, appear treatable with topical medications.
- Further research into host-pathogen interactions is warranted to understand T. equinum zoonosis.