Nosocomial dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis in a newborn department

Seven nurses working in a newborn unit were infected by Microsporum canis, involving the skin of the left forearm. One infant who was treated in the same unit suffered from a similar lesion on the occipital region. Transmission during bottle feeding was suspected. After the introduction of long sleeves for all nurses, no further cases occurred. Data collected on the nurses in the unit suggested that infection correlated with direct exposure to infants.