title: [Etiology of pathogen-induced changes between the toes in patients working under moist conditions].
abstract: Referring to recent studies, we discuss the epidemiology of tinea pedis and its position within the range of polyetiological foot infections caused by microbial agents. 201 industrial workers used to wear rubber boots because of moist working conditions were examined with regard to their feet. 107 of them showed clinically altered toe web; in 45 cases, we found ringworm infection (22.4%), in correlation to increased daily wearing time of rubber boots. 85 workers showed colonization of pathogenic bacteria (42.4%), especially gram-negative species (25.8%). Frequently, mixed infections were found. The clinical picture not always allows definite conclusions as to the causal agents. The symptom "maceration" is seen in each of the 3 pathogenic groups of germs (fungi, gram-positive pathogenic cocci, gram-negative bacteria), frequently in bacterial foot infections, especially gram-negative infections. Marked clinical symptoms involve increased infection rates. The predisposing factors to foot infection such as interdigital maceration and the promoting role of rubber boots have been confirmed. The final diagnosis is to be reassured by cultural investigations, in order to set up a specific treatment.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Dermatologie, Andrologie und Venerologie, Abt. klin. u. exp. Dermatologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gründer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kroker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heppner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000382:microbiology*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012775:Shoes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014034:Toes / Q000382:microbiology
vernacular_title: Zur Atiologie der erregerbedingten Zehenzwischenraumveränderungen bei Arbeitern in Feuchtbetrieben.