A case of tinea manuum caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. erinacei: the first isolation in Korea.

Hedgehogs have recently become popular exotic pets in Korea. Several diseases may be acquired from these animals including dermatophytosis, Salmonella infections, contact urticaria and possibly Mycobacterium infections. We describe here a 15-year-old girl who developed tinea manuum after keeping a hedgehog for 4 months. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic and mycological examination. The causative agent was identified as Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. erinacei, a zoophilic dermatophyte.