CLINICO-MYCOLOGICAL PROFILE OF DERMATOPHYTOSIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL - A MATTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH INTEREST

Background: Dermatophytosis refers to superficial fungal infections caused by a group of fungi that are capable of invading the keratin of skin, hair and nails. The dermatophytes includes species belonging to genera Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton.Aim & Objectives: 1) To determine the frequency of dermatophytes isolated from clinical samples 2) To access the risk factors associated with dermatophytosis 3) To understand the seasonal variation. Material & Methods: Samples from clinically suspected cases of dermatophytic infections (skin scarping, hair plugs and nail clipping) were subjected to direct microscopy by KOH mount and to fungal culture using standard mycological techniques.Dermatophytes were identified based on the microscopic arrangement of microconidia and macroconidia. Results: A total of 48 clinical isolates were tested, out of which 21 isolates were positive for dermatophytes. Thus, the frequency of dermatophytic infection was found to be 43.75%. The predominant isolates were T. rubrum (18.75%), followed by T. mentagrophytes (16.66%), Epidermophyton floccosum (6.25%) and T. tonsurans (2.08%). The remaining samples showed growth of Candida (18.75%),bacterial isolates (8.33%) and rest were found to be culture sterile.Among the total clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis, only a total of 5 were positive by direct microscopy and 16 samples were positive both by microscopy and culture.Dermatophytosis was more common in the age group of (21-40) years and was more predominant among the males. Most of the dermatophytic infections were recovered from immunocompromised individuals suffering from poor hgiene (42.85%) followed by diabetes (23.8%), usage of topical steroid usage/immunosuppressive agents (9.5%) and underlying chronic illnesses (4.7%).The cases were mainly seen in the months between April to July which correlates the infection with the humid season. Conclusion: The study highlighted T.rubrum as the predominant dermatophyte.Dermatophytic infection is one of the common fungal disease in immunocompromised subjects. Correct identification and timely initiation of treatment can arrest the onset of complications.