A mycological study on the Candidal paronychia of the swine plant farmers in Chung-Cheong area

Abstract

Background: Candida species are normal flora in human and animals. Also they may cause diseases as pathogen. Bovine mastitis, cutaneous candidiasis in swine, and chicken dermatitis caused by Candida species were reported. Therefore, plant farmers which frequently contact with these animals may be at risk of candidal infection. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of candidal infection from swine to human in candidal paronychia. Methods: We performed a mycological study in 36 swine plant farmers in Chung-Cheong area between March 1998 and February 2000. To define the species of Candida, culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar(SDA) with and without chloramphenicol, germ tube test, and API 20C AUX yeast identification system were performed. For identification of strains, pulsed field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) was performed. Results: Among 36 swine plant farmers, we found 15 patients with candidal paronychia and all 15 patients were midwives for swine. The species of Candida isolated from paronychial lesion of the patients and swine which the patients bred were Candida(C.) tropicalis, C. albicans, and C. krusei. When the same species between the patients and their swine were isolated, PFGE was performed for strain identification. The results of PFGE showed that the strains isolated from between the patients and their swine were identical in 6 of 7 cases. Conclusion: The results of genotyping analysis suggest that the Candida in swine cause paronychial lesion in human.