European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Tinea pedis is a dermatophyte infection of the feet, especially the toes
and soles of the feet.
Aim of this study: This study aims to evaluate prevalence, etiology, and risk factors
of tinea pedis and bacterial super infections in Dour city population.
Patients and methods: This is a cross sectional study, was carried out in one year
duration from March 2019 to March 2020 on 150 patients, both genders, ages
ranging from 20-70 years old. Methods include sampling by scraping, direct
microscopical exam. with KOH., culture on different media that are used to isolate
dermatophytes, as well as culture on different media and different biochemical tests
to isolate bacteria, and finally calculating MIC.s. of Lawsonia inermis in killing
dermatophytes.
Results: T. pedis is the most prevalent in the age 40-49(31.3%). I t is most prevalent
during Spring(28%). There are nonsignifcant associations in the relation between
diabetes, vascular disease and psoriasis with gender(p value>0.05), while the
relations of smoking, obesity, and family history of foot mycoses with gender are
statistically significant(p value<0.05). Trichophyton rubrum is the most prevalent
causative dermatophyte(36.7%), while Trichophyton verrucosum is the least
prevalent(8.7%). Staphylococcus aureus is the most prevalent bacterial species
accompanying dermatophytes(80%). MIC. of petroleum ether extract of Lawsonia
inermis for T. tonsurans and T. verrucosum is 128 μg/ml., while MIC. of petroleum
ether extract of L. inermis is 256 μg/ml. for T. rubrum, T. interdigitale, and E.
floccosum. MIC.s of ethanol extract of L. inermis is 16 μg/ml. for T. verrucosum,
32 μg/ml. for T. tonsurans, 64 μg./ml. for T. interdigitale and E. floccosum, and 128
μg./ml. for T.rubrum.
Conclusions: T. rubrum was the commonest dermatophyte isolated from cases of
Tinea pedis and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacterial species.
The disease is contagious between the family members. Tinea pedis is usually
diagnosed via clinical observation, but there are variety of other methods used to
diagnose it.