Clinicomycological profile of Dermatophytosis in a teaching hospital

Dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic fungi that have the capacity to invade keratinized tissues. Dermatophytosis is a common fungal infection seen in the tropical and subtropical countries affecting the skin and its appendages. Though dermatophytosis is considered a cosmetic illness, complications do occur. In the recent times dermatophytosis appears to be a neglected fungal disease. This study was taken up to detect clinicomycological profile of dermatophytosis.Aims and Objectives: This study is an attempt to access the clinicoepidemiological profile of dermatophyte infection and to find out various species of dermatophytes in clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis.Materials and methods: One hundred and seventy seven samples were subjected to direct microscopy by potassium hydroxide wet mount (KOH) and isolation by culture on Sabourauds dextrose agar.Results: Of the 177 samples, 115 were KOH positive and 108 were culture positive. Males were more frequently affected with dermatophytosis. T.rubrum was the most common clinical isolate. Conclusion: The present study highlights the use of both KOH and culture in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis.