Clinico-Mycological Study of Dermatophytosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Dermatophytosis is colonization by a dermatophytic fungus o f the keratinized tissues like hair, nails and stratum corneum of the skin. Dermatophytos is producing a dermal infl ammatory response with intense itching and also of cosmetic importance. So the present study was concerned with isolation, identifi cation and clinicomycologial study of dermatophytes. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted over a period of 2 years. Clinically suspected 250 cases of dermatophytosis were taken into consideration for study. Isolation and identifi cation was done by various tests like macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical tests. Results: The present study was done on 250 clinically diagnosed cases of dermatophytosis. Tinea corporis found to be the commonest clinical type with119 cases (47.6%) followed by Tinea cruris 60(24%). Out of 250 clinically diagnosed dermatophytoses, males were more in number 168(67.20%) compared to female 82(32.8%). Out of 250 cases of dermatophytosis, 138 cases (55.2%) were positive in direct microscopic examination (KOH) and total of 106 cases (42.4%) were positive in culture. Out of total 250 clinical isolates 106 cases (42.4%) were culture positive. Trichophyton rubrum were the commonest isolates 69(65.09%). Conclusion: This study highlighted that tinea corporis is the commonest clinical type. In Trichophyton species, T.rubrum and T. mentagropthyte are the most common aetiological agents and males are more frequently affected. Though various species of dermatophytes produce clinically different characteristic lesions, but a single species may produce various types of lesions depending upon site of Infection.