title: First report of Arthroderma benhamiae in Switzerland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermatophytes are usually identified on the basis of macroscopic characteristics and microscopic examination of the cultures. Identification of dermatophytes often remains difficult or uncertain because there are variations from one isolate to another and overlapping characteristics between species.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify dermatophyte species producing numerous microconidia and resembling Trichophyton mentagrophytes by DNA sequence analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The complete ITS1 + 5.6s + ITS2 rDNA region of various dermatophytes isolated in culture was amplified by PCR and sequenced.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine isolates of a fast-growing dermatophyte species were identified as Arthroderma benhamiae by DNA sequencing. Retrospective investigations revealed that the isolates were from 8 children and 1 adult suffering from inflammatory dermatophytosis. Eight of the 9 patients had had previous contact with rodents, mostly guinea pigs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is the first time that A. benhamiae is reported in Switzerland. In cases of dermatophytosis attributed to A. benhamiae, a rodent is the most likely cause of infection.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie (DHURDV), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fumeaux
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mock
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ninet
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: Olympia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bontems
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Léchenne
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lew
authors.forename: Renato G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Panizzon
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jousson
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monod
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013557:Switzerland; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal