074 



TROPICAL DERMATOMYCOSES 



This dermatomycosis is extremely common in all tropical 

 countries, and especially so in Southern India, Ceylon, Malaya, 

 Java, Indo-China, and China. By many authors it has been, and 

 is still, confused with the ordinary pityriasis vesicolor of temperate 

 zones; the investigations of Castellani and Jeanselme, however, 

 have clearly proved that it is a different affection. 



.etiology— The affection is due to Malassezia tropica Castellani, 

 1905. The mycelial threads are generally thick, with numerous 



swellings, constrictions, and other irregularities in their^ shape. 

 The spores are roundish or oval (3»5o to 4.50 fx), and have a double 

 contour. In recent cases the fungus is abundant, with plenty of 

 mycelium and spores which often run into clusters. In old chronic 

 patches the fungus becomes very scanty; the spores are not 

 numerous, and generally do not collect in clusters ; the mycelium is 

 very scanty, and is even more irregular in shape than it is in recent 

 patches (degeneration forms of the fungus). For full description 

 of the fungus see p. 1099. 



