[The raubitschekii variant of Trichophyton rubrum has reached Germany].

This is the second report on an isolation of the variety raubitschekii of Trichophyton (T.) rubrum in Germany. The patient was a young man born in Cameroon who presented with an extensive tinea corporis et manuum. The variety raubitschekii can be distinguished from similar looking dermatophytes by its brownish color, by the formation of abundant T. rubrum-like macroconidia, by the production of urease, by a negative hair perforation test, and by DNA analysis. In addition, further characteristics of this variety were determined. So far, the variety raubitschekii has been primarily found as a cause of tinea corporis in patients from Asia or Africa. In the future, it should be considered as a potential pathogen in Germany as well.