ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This is an attempt to find the species prevalence of various dermatophytes in patients with dermatophytosis in our hospital in Baroda. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and sixty clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis were subjected to mycological studies. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty seven cases (60.38%) were positive for fungus in direct microscopy while 116 (44.62%) were culture positive. Tinea corporis was the most common clinical presentation followed by tinea cruris. Young adults in the age group of 16-30 yrs were mainly affected. The male to female ratio was 1.57:1. Trichophyton rubrum (73.27%) was the most common isolate, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (17.24%), Epidermophyton floccosum (7.75%) and Trichophyton violaceum (1.72%). CONCLUSION: Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant fungus found in this area of Gujarat, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton violaceum.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of two different microscopic techniques and three different culture media for the identification and isolation of dermatophytes from clinical samples. METHODS: Skin, hair and nail samples from 260 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis were screened by direct microscopic examination using 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) with and without 40% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) mounts. All the samples were inoculated for culture in Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), dermatophyte test medium (DTM) and ready to use enriched dermatophyte medium (EDM). RESULTS: Fungal elements were detected in 157 samples by both the methods but faster and better visualization was noted with 40% DMSO added to 10% KOH. Fungi were recovered from SDA, DTM and EDM in 96.5%, 98.3% and 85.3% of the cases respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When performing direct microscopic examination of skin, hair and nail for dermatophytes, addition of 40% DMSO to the KOH mount gives better and faster results. The efficiency of SDA and DTM was found almost equal and slightly better than EDM. The EDM, although quite efficient with 85.3% isolation rate, requires further evaluation as its ready to use format makes the application and microscopy much easier and faster.