A Study of Superficial Mycoses with its Clinical Correlation at GMERS Medical College & Hospital Valsad, Gujarat

• Author Details:   
• Hiral K Patel
• Parimal H Patel
• Alka B Nerurkar

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Background: Superficial mycotic infections constitute the bulk of mycotic diseases. Superficial mycoses are limited to skin, hair, and nails. The superficial fungal infections commonly encountered are dermatophytosis, candidiasis and pityriasis versicolor. Aim of this present study is mainly to evaluate the mycological profile of superficial mycoses with their causal association with its clinical presentation.
Method: The study was carried out at Department of Microbiology, GMERS Medical College, Valsad from November 2014 to April 2015.73 various  Skin scrapings, nail clippings and scalp scrapings were the clinical specimens taken for the study. Direct Microscopy was done with KOH (10% for skin and scalp and 40% for nail).Culture was done on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar. The isolate were identified by colonial morphology, pigment production and direct examination of smear from the colony by tease mount and cellophane tape mount lactophenol cotton blue preparation & slide culture.
Results: Out of 73 samples, 44 (60.27%) were KOH positive and 33 (45%) were Culture positive. The commonest isolate was Trichophyton spp 16 (49%) followed by Candida spp. 7(21%) and other molds like pseudoallescheria boydii, Fusarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus 5(15%). Tinea corporis 30 (42%) was the most common clinical presentation. The commonest age group involved was 19-59 years.
Conclusion: The present study signifies the importance of mycological examination in diagnosis of superficial fungal infections.  It is helpful to study fungal species commonly associated with superficial mycosis with various clinical presentation and also for further treatment.

Key words: Candida spp, Superficial mycoses, Trichophyton spp, Tinea corporis, Tinea capitis