Trichophyton Tonsurans in Minnesota

During the past few years there have been several publications concerning Trichophyton tonsurans, stressing the fact that the fungus is common in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Southwestern United States, particularly Texas and California. There have also been reports of infections in areas away from the endemic ones. This communication will deal with the recognition of this fungus in Minnesota. Steves and Lynch (1947) reported the first case of T. crateriforme (T. tonsurans) in Minnesota. They identified the organism while investigating 747 cases of tinea capitis in the Minneapolis and St. Paul epidemic of 1945-1946. Cases of tinea capitis continue to occur sporadically in this region. Until recently T. tonsurans has rarely been considered as a possible etiologic agent. Because of the widespread dissemination of this organism, the dermatologist should be increasingly alert to the possibility of T. tonsurans as an etiologic agent in fungus infections. Howell et