Cultural evidence for a bullous type of tinea pedis

Abstract

Maceration, hyperkeratosis and vesicles are well known as typical clinical correlates of dermatophyte infection of the feet. It seems, however, still to be controversial whether bullae also belong to the clinical spectrum. In a 48-year-old female Trichophyton rubrum could be cultured from the fluid obtained by aspiration of an interdigital bulla. In another case Trichophyton mentagrophytes could be isolated from the interdigital space but not from a bulla found on the sole, microscopic investigation, however, being positive. This emphasizes the hypothesis that blisters found on the foot can be due to dermatophytes.