Spectrum of Dermatophytes Causing Tinea Corporis and Possible Risk Factors in Rural Patients of Madurai Region, South India
Journal Title: National Journal of Laboratory Medicine - Year 2016, Vol 5, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction: Fungi are among the most common causes of skin infections in tropical developing countries and dermatophytes are responsible for largest number of superficial mycoses. Dermatophyte species causing infections vary with time and geographical location. Identifying responsible risk factors may help in prevention and control of the dermatophytosis. Aim: To determine the spectrum of dermatophytes causing Tinea corporis and possible risk factors in patients residing in rural areas around Madurai city, South India. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective cross sectional study conducted in a private tertiary care hospital in Madurai during July and August 2015. Skin scrapings from 50 consenting individuals from rural areas (irrespective of their age, sex) with typical Tinea corporis lesions were used for KOH examination and culture on Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar. A detailed history of patient occupation, address, contact with animals/soil, family history of similar disease, hygiene details including bathing frequency per day, type of water used for bathing, sharing of clothing with other individuals, were recorded in the structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistical tools like mean and percentages were used to analyze the results. Results: Among the 50 subjects, 48% were students and 26% were doing agriculture related work, 18% individuals had regular exposure to pet animals and 10% to farm animals. About 20% individuals had similar lesions in family members/ classmates. Majority of the subjects (70%) shared clothes (mostly bath towel, lungi) with family members. 20% of the subjects had positive past history. Dermatophytes were isolated in 36% of the subjects, most common being Trichophyton rubrum (16%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (10%), Trichophyton tonsurans (4%), Trichophyton verrucosum (4%) and Trichophyton violaceum (2%); Most (89%) of them were anthropophilic dermatophytes Conclusion: Anthropophilic dermatophytes are commonest causes of Tinea corporis in rural population of Madurai region. Thus, infected men (84%) are the commonest sources of infection. Sharing of clothes and close contact with infected persons at home/school environment was most common potential risk factor. Proper education about maintenance of personal hygiene and importance of compliance to treatment should be provided to the population.
Authors and Affiliations
Dr. Anand Bhimaray Janagond, Dr. Rajendran T, Dr. Surjeet Acharya, Dr. Vithiya G, Dr. Ramesh A, Dr. Jhansi Charles
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP382149
- DOI 10.7860/NJLM/2016/23516:2180
- Views 132
- Downloads 0
Prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and its Correlation with Coronary Risk Factors
Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly seen to be associated with metabolic syndrome and is considered a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Aim: To assess the prevalence of NA...
A Study of Vesiculobullous Lesions of Skin
ABSTRACT Introduction: Bullous dermatoses are a wide variety of blistering diseases some of which can be extremely debilitating and even fatal. This study shows the importance of histopathology over immunofluorescence st...
Clinical Profile of Malaria in and around Hubballi-Dharwad: A Region of North Karnataka
Introduction: Malaria is an endemic vector borne parasitic infection. Plasmodium vivax has been associated with severe malaria while P. falciparum is traditionally associated with severe course. Of late, P. vivax is incr...
Histopathological Study of Eyelid Lesions
Introduction: Eyelids are the shields of human eye which protect from injury. When eyelids do not function properly, they irritate the eyes and lead to visual problems. Varying lesions affecting the eyelids are encounter...
Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Renal Pelvis Associated with Staghorn Calculi Masquerading as Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of renal pelvis is a rare tumour associated with long standing renal calculi. We report here a case in which patient presented with pain abdomen and renal calculus with left pelvi ureteric...