Etiology of toe-web disease in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates: Bacteriological and mycological studies

G. G. Lestringant, K. A. Saarinen, P. M. Frossard, A. Bener, A. M. Ameen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We examined and sampled 45 patients with toe-web intertrigo for bacteriological and mycological studies. Prominent isolated pathogens were the genus Candida (57.7%), genus Aspergillus (28.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.7%) and coliforms (24.4%). Dermatophytes scored 4.4% (Trichophyton rubrum). There were 43 patients (95.5%) who presented with marked hyperkeratosis and maceration of the toe-webs involved. The tradition of the Emirati population of sitting cross-legged may, over time, induce in the toe-webs of overweight individuals a macerated pressure-reaction hyperkeratosis that is colonized by environmental germs. T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes are uncommon in the Al-Ain environment and this may explain the rarity of dermatophytes in toe-web intertrigo in our study.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)38-45
Number of pages8
JournalEastern Mediterranean Health Journal
Volume7
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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