Title: Current Spectrum of Dermatophytosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital of North India – A 6-Year Clinico-Mycological Study
Authors: Dr Santwana Verma, Dr Ghanshyam Verma, Dr Vineeta Sharma, Dr Suruchi Bhagra, Dr Ajeet Negi, Dr Gita Ram Tegta
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i3.184
Abstract
Dermatophytosis is a common infection of skin, hair and nails caused by Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton species. The incidence in a particular region varies with population migration, culture and environment.
Aim: To determine the clinico-mycological pattern of dermatophytosis in patients with culture proven disease.
Material and Methods: The present study was conducted on 175 cases of dermatophytosis between January 2011 and December 2016 which were culture proven. The demographic profile including age and gender distribution, findings on direct microscopy and culture was done. Causative fungi were identified up to species level.
Results: Out of 175 cases, 126(72%) were males and 49 (28%) were females. Age ranged between four and 77 years. Majority of the patients were between 21 and 40 years of age and 57.14% reported disease between July and September. Tinea corporis with tinea cruris was the commonest clinical presentation. Tinea capitis was seen in 5.7% cases out of which 78.5% were children less than fifteen years of age. Direct microscopy revealed fungal infection in 68% subjects. Trichophyton mentagrophytes emerged as the leading cause of dermatophytosis seen in 62.28% whereas T. rubrum was isolated in 23.4%. T. violaceum isolates constituted 6.85% and primarily caused scalp infections. Other agents identified were Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsp-orum gypseum and Microsporum ferrugenum.
Conclusion: The species occurrence in dermatophytosis is a dynamic process subject to variation in time and place with emergence of new and resistant strains. Thus knowledge of such epidemiological change is relevant to therapeutic success.
Keywords- dermatophytosis, Trichophyton, Microsporum, tinea, corporis, cruris, capitis.
Dr Ghanshyam Verma
Dept. of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy
Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, HP INDIA
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
