European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background and Objective: Dermatophytes are fungi that parasitize keratin-rich components like skin, hair, and nails, causing a dermal inflammatory reaction that includes acute itching and cosmetic deformity. Eastern India's climate is generally hot and humid, with heavy rains that promote fungal infection. This study was conducted to find the prevalence of dermatophytosis and to isolate and classify the dermatophyte from clinically suspected cases attending tertiary care hospital.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2019 and a total of 384 samples were included. Skin scrapings were collected and examined microscopically using 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount. Culture was performed using Sabouraud dextrose agar and dermatophyte test medium. Speciation was done based on macroscopic and microscopic findings using lactophenol cotton blue staining and some special tests like urease test and slide culture.
Results: Infection was seen to be more common among males and predominant in the age group of 21 to 30 years. Tinea corporis was commonest among all dermatophytic infections followed by the combination of tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Culture positivity was 62.8% and KOH positivity was 60.4%. Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant dermatophyte isolated followed by Trichophyton mentagrophyte
Conclusion: Tinea corporis was the most commonly diagnosed clinical condition. T. rubrum has remained the predominant species of dermatophytes although its prevalence among the population has increased dramatically.