A STUDY OF 19 SPECIES OF CHRYSOSPORIUM IS OLATED IN BESANCON-UNIVERSITY-HOSPITAL (1984-1994)

Some keralinophilic Chrysosporium species can cause tinea. In a retros pective study of 16,134 specimens of skin, nails-and hair collected in Besancon University Hospital from 1984 to 1994, 19 Chrysosporium spp, and teleomorphs were isolated. Species identification was based on th e two keys of Chabasse and Van Oorschot. Six species were identified: 1 strain of Aphanoascus fulvescens, 9 of Chrysosporium keratinophilum, 1 of Chrysosporium pseudomerdarium, 2 of Chrysosporium queenslandicum , 2 of Chrysosporium tropicum and 2 of Geomyces pannorum. In half of t he cases, Chrysosporium was isolated in pure culture and was thus a po ssible cause of mycosis. Cure or improvement was obtained in six cases after antifungal therapy. When Chrysosporium is isolated in pure cult ure, we consider that antifungal treatment should be given.