Epidemiology of dermatophytoses in paediatric population in Southwestern Poland, 2011–2016

Abstract

Introduction: Dermatophytoses are the most common superficial fungal infections in paediatric population. Its pathogen pattern has changed over years. Aim: To analyse the spectrum of dermatophytoses in children living in Southwestern Poland, in the years 2011–2016. Material and methods: A total of 1705 patients were diagnosed with fungal skin infection in the Mycological Laboratory, Dermatology Department of the Wroclaw Medical University. Of them, 163 were under 18 years of age. Results: In 105 cases, dermatophytoses were detected. The collected specimens were examined using direct microscopy examination, staining, culture on specific media and PCR technique. The most common dermatophytes were Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans (31.4% each), followed in the descending order by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (21.9%), Microsporum canis (13.3%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (1.9%). The most commonly affected body sites were glabrous skin of the trunk and extremities (41.7%), followed by face (22.2%), scalp (15.7%) and toe nails (14.8%). Conclusions: This study revealed the most common types of dermatophytoses and their pathogens in children in Southwestern Poland. In comparison to earlier data obtained from this region, new epidemiological trends have been revealed. We observed the shift towards anthropophilic dermatophyte infections and an increasing number of onychomycosis in children. Because of climatic variations, migration, and changing lifestyle practices, further studies on dermatophytoses are necessary to improve our knowledge on the epidemiology of fungal infections.