title: Detection of dermatophytes in human nail and skin dust produced during podiatric treatments in people without typical clinical signs of mycoses.
abstract: Pedicures are the most common cosmetic foot treatment. Many pedicurists and podiatrists suffer from respiratory infections and diseases such as asthma, sinusitis, chronic cough and bronchitis. Skin and nail dust may play an important role in the development of occupational diseases and the transmission of mycosis to other clients. To examine the presence of dermatophytes in nail and skin dust produced during podiatric treatments of people without typical symptoms of mycosis and to assess the epidemiological hazards of tinea pedis for podiatrists as well as other clients. Seventy-seven samples underwent direct microscopy and culture. The results of direct microscopy were positive in 28/77 samples (36.36%) and doubtful in 3/77 (3.9%). Fungi were cultured from 36/77 samples (46.75%), including 8/77 (10.3%) positive for dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum-6 isolates and Trichophyton mentagrophytes-2). Material collected during podiatric treatments is potentially infected by pathogenic fungi; thus, there is a need to protect both workers who perform such treatments, as well as other clients, to prevent the transmission of pathogens in the Salon environment. Exposure to this occupational hazard may increase not only the risk of respiratory infections but also increase asthmatic or allergic reactions to Trichophyton.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nowicka
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Urszula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nawrot
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Włodarczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pajączkowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patrzałek
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pęcak
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mozdyniewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fleischer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D058345:Asymptomatic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000382:microbiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D014008:Tinea Pedis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004391:Dust
keywords: Podiatric treatment; Trichophyton mentagrophytes; Trichophyton rubrum; dermatophytes