Dermatophytic contaminations in sport centres of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Received: 06.09.2010 – Accepted: 12.11.2010 1 Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Centre, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2 Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Correspondence: AAli Zarei MAHMOUDABADI, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Research Centre and Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran E-mail: zarei40@hotmail.com Fungi are found in diff erent environments with variable distribution patterns depending on various factors. Dermatophytic contamination of sport centres and equipments, which are used by athletes, such as wrestling mats and gymnastic mattresses, may pose a potential health risk to personnel who service, repair, and handle the equipment (1,2). Th e studies showed that swimming pools can be a source of fungi and environmental surfaces may be contaminated by many species of fungi (3,4). In addition, swimming pools can be a good carrier for transmission of fungal, parasitical, and bacterial diseases (3,4). Several studies also showed that the incidence rates of tinea pedis and tinea corporis have increased in relation with some sports (5,6). Th e aim of this study was to evaluate dermatophytic contamination in sport centres, swimming pools, and equipment used by athletes.