A case of Trichophyton tonsurans with repeat exacerbation in a sumo-wrestling club

Abstract

A 15- year-old junior high school student (member of a local sumo club) visited our hospital with scaly erythema on trunk and limbs and black dot ringworm on the left temporal part of the head in March 2007. Trichophyton tonsurans was cultured, and he was healed by hydrochloric acid medication for 3 months. However, since he joined the sumo club of the senior high school, he has suffered from repeated recurrences. At every recurrence, he was medicated with the same drug, and the number of colonies was examined using the hairbrush method. In addition, the number of members of the same club with the same symptoms increased after playing games and expedition training camp. Based on a survey questionnaire, we conclude that lack of appropriate guidance and recognition by the instructor of fungal infections and carriers with no symptoms might lead to repeat recurrence. We suggest that continuous group medical examinations, education of leaders and complete treatment will be necessary to avoid expansion of fungal infections due to interactions of sumo clubs in primary and junior high schools.