A CLINICOMYCOLOGICAL STUDY ON DERMATOPHYTOSIS AND ANTIFUNGAL DRUG SENSITIVITY BY DISC DIFFUSION METHOD

Background: Dermatophytosis is the most common superficial fungal infection across India and worldwide. Dermatophytoses refer to superficial fungal infection of keratinized tissues caused by keratinophilic dermatophytes. Recently there is a shift in epidemiology from T.rubrum to T.mentagrophytes and antifungal resistance is increasing alarmingly. Objective: To assess the clinical profile of dermatophytosis and to identify the prevalent species and antifungal sensitivity pattern. Methods:100 newly clinically diagnosed cases of dermatophytosis who were not under any topical treatment for the past 1 month were enrolled. Direct microscopy and culture followed by antifungal susceptibility was done in each case.Results: The most common clinical diagnosis was Tinea corporis et cruris (35%) followed by Tinea crusis (18%).Direct Microscopy( KOH )and culture showed positivity in 61% and 64% of samples respectively .Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the predominant dermatophyte isolate in 42 % followed by T.rubrum in 12%. Voriconazole was the most sensitive drug with sensitivity of 75% -100% followed by Itraconazole 66.7%- 100%.Fluconazole was least sensitive drug 0%-66.7% followed by Terbinafine 25%-33.3 %. Conclusion: This study concluded that the causative agent for the dermatophytosis was changing in India and in our area Trichophyton mentagrophytes has replaced Trichophyton rubrum as the predominant species causing dermatophytosis . Voriconazole and Itraconazole were the most effective drugs and Fluconazole and Terbinafine were least effective .