Alternaria as a possible human pathogen

Alternaria spp. accounted for 15% of all fungi isolated from specimens of suspected superficial mycoses during a 28 months period. Hyphae or spores consistent with those of Alternaria were also identified in potassium hydoxide mounts of 60% of these cases. On 22 occasions repeated isolations were made from suspected sites over a period of from 2 to 18 months. In 6 skin scrapings of typical mycotic lesions this was the only fungus seen and isolated despite intensive efforts to establish the presence of other aetologic agents.