A Clinical And Mycological Profile Of Dermatophytosis In KLES Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital And Medical Research Centre, Belgaum

Abstract

Background and objectives Dermatophytosis, a group of taxonomically closely related keratinophilic fungi called dermatophytes varies with geographical area as well as climatic conditions and there is wide variation in the spectrum of dermatophytic isolates. This study was aimed to understand the clinical and mycological profile of dermatophytosis. Methodology The present one year cross sectional study from January 2013 to December 2013 was done in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum A total of 125 patients presenting with dermatophyte skin infection were subjected to clinical examination and KOH examination for fungi and culture. Results Maximum cases were noted in the month of August (16%). The commonest clinical forms noted were Tinea corporis (52%) and Tinea cruris (43.2%). Multiple clinical forms were present in 23 cases and commonest clinical form was Tinea cruris with Tinea corporis (73.91%). Most of the patients were males (67.2%) (male to female ratio 2:1) and Tinea corporis was the commonest clinical diagnosis (48.81%). The commonest age group was 21 to 30 years (36%) and had Tinea corporis (56%) commonly. 36.8% of the patients had duration of > 35 weeks. The commonest morphological variant was noted as annular (37.6%). The KOH examination was positive in 78.4% cases and culture was positive for fungus in 64.8% of the cases. In patients with positive culture, T. mentagrophyte was the commonest isolate (48.15%). The commonest dermatophyte isolated was Trichophyton (88.64%). Conclusion There is wide variation in the clinical and mycological profile of dermatophytosis. The detection of emerging organisms may be help in the treatment and adequacy of current pharmacologic regimens.