A clinico- mycological appraisal of Dermatophytosis

Introduction: Cutaneous fungal infections have been reported worldwide as one of the most common dermatological disease in clinical practice. In spite of therapeutic advances in the last decade, the prevalence of cutaneous mycoses is still increasing and 10-15% of the human population is at risk of developing these infections. Objectives: To study the clinical types of dermatophytosis and to isolate and identify the causative agent with focus on sites of affliction. Materials & Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of dermatophytosis, who consented and fulfilled the inclusion criteria attending Skin & STD outpatient department of Prathima Hospital attached to Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, during January 2010 to June 2011 were enrolled for this observational study. Results: Dermatophytosis was more common in males from rural areas between the age group of 21-30years. Tinea corporis was the most common clinical type followed by Tinea cruris. Fungal elements could be demonstrated in 79% of cases. The commonest isolate was Trichophyton rubrum followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Limitations: A high percentage of study subjects were from rural areas though selection of subjects was randomized. Hence, the epidemiological trends in urban areas was poorly reflected. Conclusion: The most common causative agents isolated were Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which continue to be the major etiological agents for the past four decades across India despite changes in environment