Prevalence of superficial fungal infections in the rural areas of Bangladesh

Background: Superficial fungal infections of skin are very common in rural areas of Bangladesh. The prevalence and characteristics of superficial fungal infections (SFIs) vary with age, sex, climatic conditions, lifestyle, and population migration patterns. There is no study in Bangladesh to determine the prevalence and pattern of superficial fungal infection. This study was undertaken to determine the characteristics of SFIs amongst rural patients visiting in the Dermatology outpatient Department of Community Based Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Methods: From January to December 2008, there were 3438 patients visited in Dermatology outpatient department.Out of them 601 patients are diagnosed as SFIs (310 males and 291 females), aged between at birth to 90 years were included in this study. The diagnosis of SFIs was based on clinical presentation mainly which were confirmed by laboratory direct microscopy and culture. Results: Tinea Corporis (22.63%) was the most frequent infection followed by ptyriasis versicolor (12.81%), oral thrush (12.48%), tinea capitis (10.32%), tinea pedis (9.82%), tinea cruris (8.32%), candidal intertrigo (6.49%), onychomycosis (4.33%), chronic paronychia (3.49%), tinea fasciae (3%), tinea manuum and genital candidiasis (1.83%), tinea incognito (1.66%) and tinea barbae (1%). Among candidal infection, oral thrush (12.48%) most common followed by intertrigo (6.49%), chronic paronychia (3.49%), genital candidiasis (1.83%). Tinea capitis (11.85%) and oral thrush (13.96%) were most prevalent in children. Whereas tinea corporis was most common (17.40%) in adults. The prevalence of SFIs was greater in males than females. Children were most commonly affected by tinea capitis, oral thrush and tinea corporis, whereas adults are generally suffered from tinea corporis, ptyriasis versicolor and tinea cruris. The frequency of tinea corporis, tinea pedis and onychomycosis were much greater in elderly population. Conclusion: This study clearly shows that SFIs are of concern in both genders and in all age groups. The prevalence of superficial fungal infections are increasing in day by day throughout the Bangladesh. The pattern and distribution of SFI in Bangladesh particularly in rural population seems to very high beyond our prediction.