Clinicoepidemiological, dermoscopic, and mycological profile of pityriasis versicolor in Northern India

Objectives: Pityriasis versicolor (PV), a superficial fungal infection of the stratum corneum, is caused by Malassezia furfur . Mycological investigations support the notion that dermoscopy can be helpful in diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation, dermoscopic features, and mycological profile of patients with PV and to analyze the epidemiological trends associated with the condition. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted over a year in the outpatient dermatology department in a tertiary care hospital. One hundred patients with PV were evaluated clinically, dermoscopically, and mycologically. Data were systematically recorded and subsequently analyzed. The Chi-square test and the independent sample t -test determined the statistical significance of the results. Results: The majority of the patients were male, mostly young adults. There was a noticeable seasonal shift, with August and September showing the highest number of patients. Patients were mostly asymptomatic, while others presented with hypopigmented scaly macules. Potassium hydroxide smears showed positivity in 80% of the patients. Seborrheic dermatitis was seen concomitantly in 83.75% of patients with PV. Dermoscopy showed fine scales adherent to physiological skin creases in a net-like pattern. The most common culture isolate obtained from the samples was Malassezia globosa (58.2%), followed by Malassezia sympodialis (25.30%) and M. furfur (16.41%). Limitations: Sample size was small, and molecular techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction, were not employed to detect various Malassezia species. Conclusion: The overall clinicoepidemiological, dermoscopic, and mycological profile of PV in Kashmir is similar to previous investigators from other tropical areas.