Dermatophyte Monitoring in an Iranian Training Dermatology Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The most common cutaneous fungal infections are caused by dermatophyte fungi such as Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. In this study, the epidemiologic trends and the predominant organisms causing dermatophytosis in Urmia, Northwest Iran, were identified.Aims and objectives: To get better perception of dermatophyte distribution in Northwest Iran, the authors studied the identification of isolated dermatophytes from human specimens by using a fast and cheap molecular method: PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The authors also aimed to use this method in for rapid and reliable identification of medically important and common dermatophytes at the level of species. Methods: The study samples were collected from clinically suspected cutaneous lesions. All the specimens were transported to Medical Mycology Center, Urmia Medical Sciences University (UMS), Iran. First of all, a conventional diagnosis was carried out, which included microscopic examination and culture of sabouraud dextrose agar medium with antibiotics: chloramphenicol and cycloheximide. All the dermatophyte isolates were then identified at the level of species by the molecular method of PCR-RFLP. Results: From the tested 357 clinical specimens, 30 dermatophytic isolates were identified. The percentage rate of dermatophyte species were Trichophyton mentagrophytes (36%), Microsporum canis (32%), Microsporum gypseum (16%), Trichophyton rubrum (4%), and Epidermophyton floccosum (12%). Conclusion: By using of PCR-RFLP, a fast and reliable identification of these species is possible. This molecular method provided an opportunity for dermatophyte identification at the species level.