The definition of Trichophyton rubrum syndrome

Although chronic widespread dermatophyte infection is reported widely in th e literature, neither a uniform nomenclature? nor even a clear definition o f this syndrome have been established so Tar. Thus, we suggest Trichophyton rubrum syndrome (TRS) for denomination and define the following obligatory clinical and mycological criteria for TRS, (A) Skin lesions at the followi ng four sites: (1) feet, often involving soles, (2) hands, often involving palms; (3) nails: and (4) at least one lesion in another location than (1) (2) or (3), except for groins, (B) Positive microscopic analyses of potassi um hydroxide preparations of skin scrapings in all four locations. (C) Iden tification of Trichophyton rubrum by cell culture at three of the four loca tions at least, For diagnosis of TRS the criteria (A) and (B) and (C) have to be fulfilled. This standardization is a prerequisite for fulfilled inves tigations of underlying mechanisms of this disease, The typical clinical pa ttern of TRS is illustrated by the presentation of two paradigmatic cases.