ABSTRACT
Pityriasis versicolor (PV), also known as tinea versicolor, is a chronic, mild, superficial and recurrent infection of the stratum corneum, caused by different Malassezia spp and seen predominantly in young age group and primarily in hot and humid climates. The aim of this study was to analyze epidemiological parameters and risk factors association in clinically diagnosed PV cases and also the mycological evaluation of those PV cases. Methods: A total of 116 patients attending the OPD of Dermatology were included and analysed for detailed history, clinical examination, epidemiological parameters, risk factors and investigations. Skin scrapings collected were processed by direct microscopy with 10% KOH and culture in modified Dixon agar (mDA). Isolates were identified by colony morphology, gram staining, biochemical characteristics & tween assimilation test. Results: Females were more affected (56.03%) than the males (43.97%) with F: M ratio 1.27:1. PV affected most commonly (36.21%) in 11-20 years of age group. Students (32.29%) were affected in maximum. Majority of affected patients (65.52%) used oily body creams, whereas 34.48% cases shared their body towels with others. 10.34% cases were associated with seborrheic dermatitis. Seasonal occurrence mostly seen in May - August. Patients with type III (Medium) complexion (56.03%) with normal skin texture (49.14%) were mostly affected. Maximum patients (74.14%) were associated with excessive sweating. 18.96% patients were associated with Type II DM. Most of the cases presented with macular, scaly hypopigmented, bilaterally asymmetrically distributed and having well defined margin. Neck was the most affected site (28.45%) followed by back (20.69%). Conclusion: M.furfur was the most common isolate (47.06%) followed by M. globosa (24.71%) and M. sympodialis (15.29%).
ABSTRACT
Candida Species are normal flora of skin and mucosa of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and genital region. Usually they invade host tissue and cause diseases in patients with impaired immunity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine virulence factors expressed by various clinical isolates of different Candida species and to correlate with their antifungal resistance pattern. Methods: A total of 120 Candida isolates obtained from different clinical samples and speciated by standard microbiological laboratory protocol. Haemolysin, phospholipase and esterase activities were detected by growth characteristics on SDA with blood, egg yolk agar medium and Tween- 80 opacity test medium respectively. Adherence was seen microscopically over buccal epithelial cell and biofilm formation was detected visually with 2% Safranin staining. Antifungal susceptibility was detected by disk diffusion method using Mueller Hinton Agar supplemented with glucose and methylene blue (As per CLSI guideline). Results: Out of 120 isolates, 51(42.50%) were C.albicans and 69 (57.5%) were Non albicans Candida (NAC) including C.tropicalis 32(26.67%), C. guilliermondii 21(17.50%), C. parapsilosis 12(10%) and C. glabrata 04(3.33%). Haemolysin, phospholipase and esterase activities were detected in 110 (91.67%), 95 (79.17%) and 82 (68.33%) respectively. Adherence seen in 98 (81.67%) and in 59 (49.17%) cases biofilm had formed. The antifungal susceptibility patterns revealed that 81 (67.5%) were susceptible to Fluconazole and 72 (60%) were susceptible to Itraconazole, whereas 100% were susceptible to Voriconazole and Amphotericin B. Conclusion: Detection of virulence factor will help in better understanding of the changing behavioural patterns of Candida isolates and open doorways to better management and assessing prognosis of the patients.