Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dermatophytes Isolated from the Mosques in Tokat, Turkey

  • Published:
Mycopathologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that invade keratinized tissues such as the skin, hair and nails. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of the potential causative agents of dermatophytosis in the mosque area in Tokat, Turkey. Thirty mosques were included in the study. A total of two hundred samples were collected from various parts of carpets and slippers in the mosques. Positive cultures were obtained in 144 samples (113 from carpets, 31 from slippers). Among the species isolated, Epidermophyton floccosum (n = 114) (79.2 %) was the most frequent, followed by Trichophyton mentographytes (n = 13) (9 %), Trichophyton tonsurans (n = 9) (6.3 %), Trichophyton rubrum (n = 5) (3.5 %), and Trichophyton verrucosum (n = 3) (2 %). Contamination of carpets and slippers with dermatophytes may act as a reservoir for transmission of these fungi. Educational health programs, appropriate treatment, and management of disease may provide to control of the spread of fungal organisms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Weitzman I, Summerbell RC. The dermatophytes. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1995;8:240–59.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Svejgaard EL. Epidemiology of dermatophytes in Europe. Int J Dermatol. 1995;34:525–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Dahdah MJ, Scher RK. Dermatophytes. Curr Fungal Infect Rep. 2008;2:81–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Sugimoto R, Katoh T, Nishioka K. Isolation of dermatophytes from house dust on a medium containing gentamicin and flucytosine. Mycoses. 1995;38:405–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Katoh T. Dermatomycosis and environment. Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi. 2006;47:63–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. English M, Wethered R, Duncan E. Studies in epidemiology of tinea pedis. VIII: fungal infection in a long stay hospital. Br Med J. 1967;3:136–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Goksugur N, Karabay O, Kocoğlu E. Mycological flora of the Hammams, traditional Turkish bath. Mycoses. 2006;49:411–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ajello L, Getz ME. Recovery of dermatophytes from shoes and shower stalls. J Invest Dermatol. 1954;22:17–21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. English MP, Gibson MD. Studies in the epidemiology of tinea pedis. II. Dermatophytes on the floor of swimming-baths. Br Med J. 1959;1:1446–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Detandt M, Nolard N. Fungal contamination of floors of swimming pools, particularly subtropical swimming paradises. Mycoses. 1995;38:509–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Gentles JC, Evans EGV. Foot infections in swimming baths. Br Med J. 1973;3:260–2.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Raboobee N, Aboobaker J, Peer AK. Tinea pedis et unguium in the Muslim community of Durban, South Africa. Int J Dermatol. 1998;37:759–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hedayati MT, Afshar P, Shokohi T, Aghili R. A study on tinea gladiatorum in young wrestlers and dermatophyte contamination of wrestling mats from Sari, Iran. Br J Sports Med. 2007;41:332–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Pakshir K, Hashemi J. Dermatophytosis in Karaj, Iran. Indian J Dermatol. 2006;51:262–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Seebacher C, Bouchara JP, Mignon B. Updates on the epidemiology of dermatophyte infections. Mycopathologia. 2008;166:335–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Yenisehirli G, Bulut Y, Sezer E, Gunday E. Onychomycosis infection in the Middle Black Sea Region, Turkey. Int J Dermatol. 2009;48:956–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Rassai S, Feily A, Sina N, Derakhshanmeh F. Some epidemiological aspects of dermatophyte infections in Southwest Iran. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2011;19:13–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Ninomiya J, Ide M, Ito Y, Takiuchi I. Experimental penetration of T. mentagrophytes into human stratum corneum. Mycopathologia. 1998;141:153–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Raboobee N. Fungi in mosques. JIMASA. 1990;7:24–7.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ilkit M, Tanir F, Hazar S, et al. Epidemiology of tinea pedis and toenail tinea unguium in worshippers in the mosques in Adana, Turkey. J Dermatol. 2005;32:698–704.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Djeridane A, Djeridane Y, Ammar-Khodja A. Epidemiological and aetiological study on tinea pedis and onychomycosis in Algeria. Mycoses. 2006;49:190–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziosmanpaşa University, 60100, Tokat, Turkey

    Gülgün Yenişehirli, Erhan Karat, Yunus Bulut & Ünsal Savcı

Authors
  1. Gülgün Yenişehirli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Erhan Karat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yunus Bulut
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ünsal Savcı
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gülgün Yenişehirli.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yenişehirli, G., Karat, E., Bulut, Y. et al. Dermatophytes Isolated from the Mosques in Tokat, Turkey. Mycopathologia 174, 327–330 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-012-9549-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-012-9549-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation