EPIDEMIOLOGY OF THE DERMATOPHYTOSES IN THE FLORENCE AREA OF ITALY - 1985-1990 - TRICHOPHYTON-MENTAGROPHYTES, EPIDERMOPHYTON-FLOCCOSUM AND MICROSPORUM-GYPSEUM INFECTIONS

Between 1985 and 1990 we observed 2085 cases of dermatophytoses in the Florence area of Italy. Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis wer e the major etiological agents. 126 cases of dermatophytoses observed during this period were caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Most of the patients came from rural areas or they kept pets. Epidermophyton floccosum ranked fourth in frequency (95 cases). The patients were adu lts and mainly males, most of whom engaged in sports or lived in group environments. Microsporum gypseum was isolated in 31 cases. Infection s occurred directly from contact with soil or domestic animals. We rep ort the principal clinical data concerning these last three dermatophy te infections.