During routine isolation of dermatophytes from cases attending Department of Medical Mycology, Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, Species of Arachniotus, Petalosporus Pseudachniotus, Rollandia and some other gymnoascaceae members are isolated from skin and nail scrapings from several cases either alone or along with a known dermatophyte. Direct examination in KOH showed branched septate filaments compatible with dermatophytes, These fungi are not isolated from air, soil or plant debris during our sample surveys for pathogenic and allergenic fungi and actinomycetes. So, it remains to be solved whether the presence of these fungi in skin and nail scrapings was only a mere association or these fungi had role in producing dermatophytoses.
Article Studies on Gymnoascaceae. I. Arachniotus flavoluteus in case...
The Koch´s postulates are still important to answer your question. Single identification of a rare species does neither confirm nor falsify the causative role in disease. If a rare species is identified I would at least try to confirm the presence in this patient in an independent clinical material. This would add to fulfill postulate 1.
What is the immunological status of the patients? Are there specific risk factors facilitating dermatophytoses in the patients? It might be, that these organisms are opportunistic and cause disease only in specific groups of patients.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Biota
- Eukaryota
- Fungi