PRESENCE OF PERIPHERAL EOSINOPHILIA IN CUTANEOUS DERMATOPHYTOSES IN WESTERN MAHARASHTRA- AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Dermatophytosis is a supercial fungal infection of the skin, hair and nails. The clinical and pathological features of dermatophytosis have been extensively reported in literature but its association with peripheral eosinophilia has not received any attention. Aim: The aim of the study is to report peripheral eosinophilia in patients with supercial cutaneous fungal infections. Materials and methods : Total 305 patients attending a Dermatology OPD suffering from cutaneous fungal infection were included in this study. Peripheral blood sample was collected in all patients to estimate absolute eosinophil count. Patients with eosinophil count more than 500 cells/μL were considered as having eosinophilia. Results : In a study of 305 cases of cutaneous fungal infections, dermatophytosis was found to be the most common fungal infection accounting for 282 (92.45%) cases. Absolute eosinophil count (AEC) more than 500 cells/μLwas observed in 76 (26.95%) cases, out of which Six (2.12%) patients had marked eosinophilia (AEC >1500 cells/μL). No peripheral eosinophilia was observed in remaining 23 (08.15%) cases of other cutaneous fungal infections. Conclusion : The presence of peripheral blood eosinophilia is a signicant nding in dermatophytosis particularly in chronic, long standing cases. One should be aware of this nding so as to avoid over investigating eosinophilia