English

Abstract

The dermatophytoses constitute a group of superficial fungal infections of keratinised tissue-epidermis, hair and nails, caused by a closely related group of filamentous fungi, the dermatophytes. OBJECTIVES: Isolation and speciation of dermatophytes by culture and to determine its prevalence. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted from January 2012-December 2013 at Kempegowda institute of medical sciences, Bangalore. All clinically suspected cases coming to the microbiology department where subjected to mycological work-up. Specimens like skin scraping, hair, and nail were collected and microscopically examined using 10%, 20% and 40% KOH respectively for fungal filaments. Culture was carried out using Sabouraud dextrose agar medium with and without cycloheximide. The growth in the culture tube was speciated based on the macroscopic and microscopic findings (with Lactophenol cotton blue staining). RESULTS: Total cases in the two year period were 609. The infection was found to be common in adults aged 20-30 years, the male to female ratio is 1.2:1. The KOH positives were 491(80%), and culture positives were 471(77%). Of the positive cultures Trichophyton rubrum (35%) was the common isolate followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (17%), and Epidermophyton floccosum (6%). CONCLUSION: In the present study the most common clinical presentation is Tinea corporis followed by Tinea unguium and Tinea cruris and the common isolate was T.rubrum. The present study was undertaken to determine the clinical pattern of dermatophytosis and the common species that was prevalent here.