Abstract
Trichophyton sp. anamorph of Arthroderma benhamiae is an emerging agent of dermatophytoses. During the period from 1. 1. 2012 to 31. 12. 2013 this zoophilic dermatophyte was isolated from 25 patients in the laboratory of the Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology.
The identification of the species was confirmed by molecular methods. Clinical data and therapeutic outcome were available for 15 patients, 12 of them were children aged 2-10 years, only 3 were adults.
Guinea pigs were the source of the infection in 9 cases, other rodents in 2 cases. In 3 cases infection from a dog was also possible.
The incubation period ranged from 3 to 4 weeks. The clinical appearance of the lesions showed no particular difference from other infections by zoophilic dermatophytes, with the exception of green fluorescence in Wood's light which is otherwise characteristic for Microsporum (not Trichophyton) lesions.
Naftifine or ciclopiroxolamine were effective in topical therapy of the lesions on the glabrous skin, whereas topical clotrimazole was ineffective. Scalp lesions healed after 4-8 weeks of oral terbinafine.