Prevalence of Superficial Dermatophyte Fungal Infections in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Fez, Morocco: An 8-Year Retrospective Study

Background and study aim: Superficial mycoses are a frequent reason for consultation in clinical practice. They are mainly caused by filamentous fungi, dermatophytes, which have an affinity for the keratin present in the skin and appendages. The aim of our study was to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of superficial dermatophytes diagnosed in our hospital. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out in the Parasitology-Mycology laboratory of the Hassan II University Hospital in Fez, including patients referred for mycological sampling over an 8-year period from January 2016 to December 2023. Identification of the different species responsible for dermatophytitis was based on observation of the macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the colonies. Results: Of the 5530 mycological samples taken during the study period, 621 were confirmed positive for dermatophytes. The average age of our patients at the time of diagnosis was 47.2 years, with a predominance of women. Onychomycosis was the most common clinical form (88%), followed by scalp ringworm (9,17 %). Trichophyton rubrum was the most common species isolated in culture, accounting for 86,34 % of cases (n = 536). Conclusion: A better understanding of the epidemiological data on dermatophytes is an essential element in improving the diagnostic and therapeutic management of these increasingly frequent mycotic infections.