PREVALENCE OF PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR IN WAR-WOUNDED AND CHEMICAL (MUSTARD) GAS-WOUNDED PATIENTS IN IRAN-IRAQ WAR

A total of 1118 soldiers who were wounded in war and hospitalized in Tehran, were examined for P .versicolor-a superficial mycotic infection. Of these, 213 were war-wounded, 54 chemical (mustard) gas-wounded, 42 both war and chemical gas-wounded, 105 had infectious and noninfectious diseases, and 704 were apparently healthy soldiers serving in war fronts who were examined for P. versicolor and its relation with a history of contact with mustard gas. In this study the prevalence of P. versicolor among the above groups was: 7.40%, 1.85%, 9.52%, 11.42% and 6.11 % respectively. Upon microscopic examination (Scotch tape method) from hyperpigmented parts of the skin resulting from mustard gas, P. orbiculare (the etiologic agent of P. versicolor) was seen abundantly. This observation leads us to hypothesize that there may be a relation between P. versicolor and previous contact with mustard gas.