EPIDEMIOLOGIA E DISTRIBUIÇÃO GEOESPACIAL DE FUNGOS DERMATÓFITOS NO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO, BRASIL

Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that cause fungal infections in humans. This study aimed to characterize dermatophyte species' epidemiology and geospatial distribution and their relation with climatic, geoenvironmental and social aspects in municipalities monitored by the Epidemiological Surveillance Group XV (GVE XV) of São Paulo State from January 2016 to December 2020. Six species of dermatophytes were identified, namely Trichophyton rubrum (69.2%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (17.9%), Trichophyton tonsurans (3.6%), Microsporum canis (5.4%), Microsporum gypseum (0.9%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (0.9%). The occurrence of these species was predominant in the Cerrado phytogeographic domain (60.7%), in soils with a temperature >18°C (97.3%), clayey soils (92.4%), and in humid climates. A particularized analysis in the municipality of extended occurrence of dermatophytes demonstrated the predominance of M. canis and M. tonsurans in areas of higher social vulnerability. The occurrence of dermatophytes in different contexts provided information about these fungi's epidemiology and dissemination patterns. However, more extensive studies may contribute to a better understanding of the factors that influence the movement of dermatophyte hosts and species over time, which is fundamental for developing more effective prevention and control approaches.