CLINICO-MYCOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF DERMATOPHYTES IN SUPERFICIAL FUNGAL INFECTIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE, WEST UTTAR PRADESH
Background: Dermatophytes are group of fungi that infect keratinized tissues of human and animals. The group consist of three different genera namely, Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton and several species within each genera. Among Trichophyton, Trichophyton rubrum is predominant, followed by various strains of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which include both anthropophiles and zoophiles. Prevalence of dermatophytes varies with location and environmental condition. The infection is common worldwide with higher prevalence in tropical countries like India. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of dermatophytoses, isolate and identify the dermatophyte from samples of clinically suspected cases attending tertiary care centre. Methods: Patients showing lesions typical of dermatophytes infection from outpatient Department of dermatology were sent to mycology unit for the KOH and culture in the Department of Microbiology for the period of 12 months. Results: A total of 60 samples suspected of dermatophytosis were received in the lab for KOH and culture. Out of these 60 samples, 26 (43.33%) were skin, 14 (23.33%) hair and 20 (33.33%) nails. Trichophyton was found to be the predominant etiological agent with 18 isolates out of 25 dermatophyte isolates, as only negligible number of isolates of Microsporum and Epidermophyton were grown, prevalence of T. mentagrophytes is increasing gradually as shown in our study in which we have obtained (24%) isolates and is second most common isolate next to T. rubrum. Conclusions: Among dermatophytes, T. rubrum was the predominant organism and followed by T. mentagrophytes. People are unaware of such dermatophytic infection due to their negligence which may deteriorate the quality of their lives. Proper diagnosis and timely treatment of such infections may improve the morbidity related to such infections.