A clinico epidemiological study of dermatophytosis in a tertiary care center, Ujjain

Abstract

Introduction: Dermatophytes are fungi that can cause infections of the skin, hair & nails due to their ability to invade keratin. Dermatophytosis is the most common superficial fungal infection worldwide, more common in tropics and subtropical regions. It may present in epidemic proportions in areas of high humidity. Aims and Objectives: The present study is aimed to determine the distribution and to identify the clinical types of dermatophytosis that are prevalent in Malwa region. Materials and Methods: A total of 298 samples were collected from infected skin, hair and nails for a period of 1 year.Samples were collected under aseptic condition by skin scrapping, nails and hairs clipping by using scalpel or forceps and were then subjected to direct microscopy by potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount. Results: Dermatophytosis manifested more in the age group of 21-30 years, with male predominance. Among various clinical types, tinea cruris was the commonest type. Direct microscopy on KOH mount revealed the presence of dermatophytic fungi in 71.8% of the samples. Conclusions: Dermatophytosis is the commonest disease presenting in dermatology clinics and are responsible for myriad of clinical manifestations in human. Empirical use of steroid/mixed preprations, poor patient compliance due to high cost and changing dress sense are some important contributing factors for the real upsurge in incidence and prevalence of dermatophytosis in the last few years.