Abstract

Objective: To study the occurrence and causative agents (fungus) of dermatophytosis in patients attending the Dermatology Section of Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited Hospital and Annal Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India. Methods: A total of 519 samples were collected including infected skin, hair and nail samples for a period of 1 year. Before collecting the samples, 70% alcohol was applied to the infected area and ensured that it was totally dry. Skin samples were collected by scrapping, nail samples by clipping and hair samples collected by using sterile scalpel or forceps. Identification of the causative pathogen was done by performing slide culture, lacto-phenol cotton blue mount, hair perforation tests and urease tests Results: Dermatophytosis was manifested clinically more in the age group of 11-20 and 21-30 years. Among various clinical conditions, tinea capitis was common in children below 12 years. Microbiological investigation revealed the presence of dermatophytic fungi in 78% of the samples. Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant pathogen followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Conclusions: Further intensive epidemiological studies of dermatophytic fungus-induced dermatophytosis, which have public health significance, are needed.

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