Isolamento de Microsporum amazonicum do solo do Estado do Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract

The dermatophyte Microsporum amazonicum was first isolated by Moraes, et al. (1967), from the hair of a wild rat (Oryzomys sp.) trapped near the city of Manaus, State of Amazonas, Brasil. Since that time, it has been recovered several times from other wild rodents of the Amazon region, but not from the soil. In this paper, the Authors report the isolation of M. amazonicum from the soil of a cave on the Manaus-Caracarav Highway, about 130 Kms. from Manaus. This is the first time that this dermathophyte has been obtained directly from the soil. Of 96 soil samples, colleted in the cave, 12 were found to be positive for Microsporum amazonicum. Rarely found in the soil, this fungo appears to be restricted to the Amazon region. Reasons for its limited distribution are discussed.