Two hundred and thirty soil samples from different localities were examined for the presence of geophilic keratinophilic fungi. Six species namely Microsporum gypseum--34 isolates, Chrysosporium keratinophilum--29, C. tropicum--20, Keratinophyton terreum--4, Trichophyton terrestre--8 and Chrysosporium species--3--were isolated. Most of these fungi were recovered from garden, field and river bank soil. The importance of these findings is briefly discussed.
A 2-year-old, exotic shorthair cat presented with baldness and mild scaling on trunk that was confirmed as Microsporum canis (M. canis) infection by the following methods. Wood's lamp and trichogram were used to demonstrate fungal elements suggestive of dermatophytosis consistent with M. canis. Dermatophyte test medium (DTM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used for identification. E-test and broth microdilution test were then utilized to estimate antifungal minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) towards ITZ and TRF respectively. The strain was isolated from the patient and revealed TRF MIC >32 µg/ml and ITZ MIC 0.023 µg/ml. Patient was cured of dermatophytosis with systemic ITZ.