AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES AND THEIR DERMATOPHYTES

In Australia, ringworm is common among Aborigines and, to a lesser extent, among other ethnic groups.

Abstract

In Australia, ringworm is common among Aborigines and, to a lesser extent, among other ethnic groups. So far, the dermatophytes generally responsible for ringworm in the Australian Aborigines show interesting differences from those usually isolated from other races in Australia. The main example are: Trichophyton tonsurans and T. violaceum: and, granuler variant of T. rubrum and a type of M. canis both of which were described by the authors. With a few notable exceptions, ringworm in the Australian Aborigines has attracted little medical interest or scientific attention. For example, Foelsche, a police inspector, wrole about ringworm affecting Northern Territory Aborigines in 1882. The dermalophyte responsible was not defined and described until 1973. The writers believe that much more work is needed to clarify the various aspects of ringworm among the Australian Aborigines.