Clinicomycological & epidemiological profile of superficial fungal infections caused by dermatophytes in a tertiary care centre, Ahmedabad, India.

Abstract

Purpose : (i)To determine the prevalence of dermatophytosis in the study population attending the skin OPD of our institute.(ii) To identify host & epidemiological factors that affect the occurrence of disease. (iii)To isolate & identify dermatophytes from clinically suspected cases of tinea & to correlate their occurrence with the epidemiological factors. Materials & Methods : Total 260 scrapings from skin, scalp & nails were taken from clinically suspected cases of tinea attending the OPD of tertiary care hospital of Gujarat,India. Direct examination with KOH mount was done. The scrappings were cultured on SDA & identified based on their morphologies & biochemical reactions. Results :Of the total 260 specimens, KOH positivity was 34.61 % & culture positivity was 28.84%. Females(50.38%) were affected more than males(49.61%) & maximum cases of tinea were present in 31-40 years(21.46%) age group. Housewives(36.15%) & daily wagers(18.84%) were the most inflicted occupational groups. Maximum specimens were from skin(36.15%), followed by nails(33.46%) & hairs(30.38%). T. capitis & T. corporis were commonest clinical types identified, with T. capitis majorly present in paediatric(< 10 years) age group(49.29%). Maximum isolates of dermatophytes were T. violaceum(29.33%), followed by T. mentagrophytes(24%) & T. rubrum(12%). Conclusion : In India, T.mentagrophytes & T.rubrum have been found to be more common but in our study T.violaceum was the commonest dermatophyte isolated; which was due to more number of T. capitis cases. Activities that involve laborious tasks make a person more prone to dermatophytosis. Hence, better practices of self-hygiene can help reduce the incidence alongwith community education.