BACTERIOLOGICAL AND MYCOLOGICAL PROFILE OF TOE WEB SPACE INFECTIONS: A CLINICO EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytic fungi are more commonly associated with interdigital toe web space infections. However, the disease pertains to other pathogens also. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of reports concerning non-dermatophytic fungal infections and mixed infections with gram negative bacteria. Objectives : 1) To study the clinical prole of toe web space infections 2) To know the aetiology of toe web space infections Materials and Methods : 50 clinically suspected adult cases (18-60 years) of toe web space infections were included in the study. Detailed history was taken and clinical examination was performed. Specimen samples were collected from toe web space and Gram staining, KOH mount, bacterial and fungal culture were done. Majority of study subjects belonged to 40-60 yea Results: rs age group with no gender difference. Housewives by occupation constituted for 34% of study subjects. Diabetes can be considered as an important risk factor in the etiology (21%). 85% participants presented with maceration, 70% with scaling, 65% with erythema, 35% with pruritus. 4th toe web space was commonly involved (40%). Tinea pedis, psoriasis and cellulitis are most commonly associated cutaneous diseases among the study participants. Among the fungal species isolated, candida (39%) fusarium (34%) and trichophyton (30%) were the common ones Staphylococcus aureus (35%) klebsiella (16%) pseudomonas (12%) were the common bacterial organisms isolated. Conclusion: Fourth toe web space infection was most commonly noted and majority of study subjects belonged to 40-60 years age group, among whom housewives were predominantly affected. Candida, Fusarium, Trichophyton, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas were the most common species isolated. There are many etiological factors responsible for toe web space infections, which are usually over diagnosed, underdiagnosed/ misdiagnosed. Hence proper clinical approach and laboratory investigations would yield denitive diagnosis resulting in appropriate treatment.