Tinea pedis is frequently found in those people with poor hygine and in hot and humid environments. The authors investigated the clinical, epidemiological and mycological characteristics of tinea pedis in 138 sewerage workers attending a
sewerage
plant
in Seoul. Tinea pedis was found in 82. With a prevalence of 59.4%. The prevalence of tinea pedis increased with age and the period working at sewerage plant, however, there was no statistical significance. Also there was no difference in the
prevalence
of tinea pedis between the clerical workers and the field workers. Positive rate for KOH smear was 73.2%, and culture positive rates were 42.7%, producing 35 strains of dermatophytes. Twentyeight strains of Trichophyton Rubrum and 7 strains of
Trichophyton mentagrophytes were isolated. Twentyseven yeastform colonies were isolated, and Trichosporon beigelii was found in 19 samples. Most of the yeast forms were found mixed with dermatophytes and moulds, however, 6 were isolated from
direct
smear positive cases and yielded pure colonies of yeast. These included 4 cases of T. beigelii, 1 case of Candida parapsilosis, and J case of Candida humicola. In view of the recent report of these fungi as pathogenic organism, these isolates,
especially T. beigelii, were considered as a causative agent of tinea pedis in certain groups like sewerage workers.
(Kor J Dermatol 1992 ; 30 (1) : 62-67)
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