title: An outbreak of Trichophyton tonsurans dermatophytosis in a chronic care institution for the elderly.
abstract: A nosocomial outbreak of dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans var. sulfureum subvar. perforans is reported in a nursing home for the elderly. The outbreak affected six residents and persisted for nine months despite remedial medical and sanitary measures. In a survey designed to determine the potential role of fomites in disease transmission, 129 environmental sites were sampled. A high proportion (22.3%) of the samples yielded T. tonsurans, including samples from beds, floors, and washroom facilities. Methods for the control of dermatophyte outbreaks in chronic care institutions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Ontario Ministry of Health, Laboratory Services Branch, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leavitt
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Summerbell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krajden
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kasatiya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009864:Ontario; D014005:Tinea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000302:isolation & purification