The Epidemiology of Dermatophyte Infection in Southeastern Korea (1979~2013).

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytosis is common worldwide and isbelieved to affect more than 20-25% of the world’s population. The epidemiology of dermatophyte infection is influenced by variable factors. Objectives: To investigate the epidemiology of fungal skin infections through a retrospective analysis of patient’s medical records between 1979 and 2013. Methods: Of total 4,275,715 patients, 415,526 patients with clinically suspicious fungal infection were collected at Catholic Skin Disease Clinic in Daegu. KOH examination and culture were performed. Of 415,526 patients, 131,440KOH- and culture-proven patients were included in this study. Results: The annual number of patients with dermatophytosis ranged from 1,973 to 6,166 between 1979 and 2013. Trichophyton (T.) rubrum was the most commonly identified dermatophyte, followed by T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum (M.) canis, and Epidermophyton (E.) floccosum. T. rubrum infection was found predominantly in thirties, T. mentagrophytes infection in forties, and M.canis and T. tonsurans infection in teenagers. T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes infection were most commonly seen in summer. M. canis infection was most commonlyseen in winter and T. tonsurans infection in spring and winter. The most common site was toe web in T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes infection, scalp in M. canis infection, and trunk in T. tonsurans infection. Conclusion: This study will provide valuable information on current epidemiological trends for fungal infections in Korea.