Clinical and mycological profile of dermatophytic infections among patients attending a tertiary care hospital

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Original Article

Author Details : Vanathi Sabtharishi, Radhika Katragadda, Thyagarajan Ravinder

Volume : 4, Issue : 2, Year : 2017

Article Page : 177-181

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Abstract

Introduction: Superficial mycotic infections affect skin, hair and nail and they are caused by dermatophytic and non-dermatophytic species. Most of the infections are due to dermatophytes, which belong to either of the three genus namely Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. Studies estimating the prevalence and pattern of species distribution among the dermatophytes in superficial mycoses are limited. Hence we have aimed to conduct a study to analyze the clinical and mycological profile of dermatophytes among patients attending dermatology OPD in a tertiary care hospital.
Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study conducted over a period of one year in 217 patients attending a tertiary care hospital. Depending on the site of lesion, skin scrapings, nail clips or hair specimen was collected and transported to laboratory with precautions. Direct microscopic examination was done; 10% KOH was used for skin and hair specimens; 20% KOH used for nail specimen. Fungal culture was done in Sabouraud`s dextrose agar and Dermatophyte test medium and species identification done based on macroscopic and microscopic features.
Results: Microscopic KOH examination showed features suggestive of dermatophytic infections were seen in 98/217 samples (45.16%). By fungal culture, out of 217, 80 samples (36.8%) showed significant growth with characteristic findings suggestive of dermatophytes. 
Conclusion: Even though clinical diagnosis of superficial mycotic infections shows promising results, it is must to do microscopic KOH examination of the clinical material and advisory to do fungal culture whenever resources are available. This aids in improved knowledge about the prevalence of species and epidemiology of dermatophytic infections.

How to cite : Sabtharishi V, Katragadda R, Ravinder T, Clinical and mycological profile of dermatophytic infections among patients attending a tertiary care hospital. Indian J Microbiol Res 2017;4(2):177-181

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