The extra-human occurrence of Trichophyton tonsurans var. sulfureum in a residential school.

Following the discovery of T. tonsurans var. sulfureum at a Belfast residential school for girls, a series of mycological investigations was carried out to determine the extent to which the pathogen existed in non-living sites and to demonstrate the possible means of transmission from infected to non-infected children.By the sampling techniques adopted the pathogen was isolated on 89 occasions, 52 of these being from hair brushes or combs. Infection was also found on the surfaces of pillowslips and other bedclothes, floors and a curtain. It was demonstrated in the atmosphere in the vicinity of infected children's beds during bedmaking. Adoption by the school staff of simple hygienic precautions and a more rigid supervision of the manner in which toilet articles were used resulted in a marked suppression of extra-human infection.