[Suppurative trichophytosis of animal origin. Apropos of 38 recent cases]

Abstract

This study of 38 cases observed over a period of 7 years emphasizes the constancy of rural contamination, whether professional or not. An enquiry carried out among veterinary surgeons in this region, showed the increasing frequency of the animal infection particularly in young oxen, hence the increased risk of kerions. The author recalls the clinical description of kerion of the scalp in children and sycosis barbae in adults, in which one may also encounter folliculitis of the limbs. The parasite isolated, included various strains of Trichophyton, e.g., Trichophyton Trimentagrophytes, Tr. verrucosum and, more rarely, Tr. magnini. On the other hand, bacteriological examination was usually negative, there were only two cases of secondary staphylococcal infection. The authors emphasize their concept of the disease which is probably an immune process. Finally, rather than the usual treatment, they emphasize the possibilities of social re-insertion; the disease should be recognised as an occupational disease.