A STUDY ON TINEA CORPORIS INFECTION IN PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, TIRUPATI

Abstract

Purpose: Tinea corporis (Ringworm) is a form of Dermatophytosis, which is a supercial fungal infection involving the trunk, legs, arms, commonly seen in countries like India. Although it is non-invasive and curable, its widespread nature and recurrence rates impose an economic burden on society in developing countries like India. This study aims at isolating different species causing this infection and studying their clinical patterns. Method: The study included the samples from the outpatients attending the Dermatology department of SVRRGGH, Tirupati, who were suspected of having Tinea corporis based on the clinical details, during the period from August 2018 to August 2019. The scrapings are examined by KOH mount and inoculated on Sabouraud's Dextrose agar and Dermatophyte test medium. The species are identied by colony morphology, Lactophenol cotton blue mount, biochemical reactions and standard procedures. Results: Out of 110 samples, overall positivity on direct microscopy is 78.2% (82), for Culture is 38.2%(42) and positive for both KOH and Culture are 38(34%). Out of 7 species isolated, the commonest isolate is Trichophyton mentagrophytes 19(45%), followed by Trichophyton rubrum 12(28%). Conclusion: Tinea corporis infections are more common in the 16-30 years age group, most of the patients belonging to low socioeconomic status with male predominance. Trichophyton species are commonly isolated from lesions in the waist and lower limbs, while Microsporum species from lesions on lower limbs. T. mentagrophytes was found to be the most common isolate and T. rubrum in case of extensive lesions.