ABSTRACT
The causes of dermatophytoses are known to differ from place to place, even within the same country. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA], studies on dermatophytoses have been reported from eastern province only. In an attempt to assess the situation in another part of the country, various species of dermatophytes isolated at Asir Central Hospital [ACH] in Asir region of KSA were studied. All the positive fungal cultures excluding candida and saprophytes reported from the microbiology laboratory of ACH between 1988 and 1992 were studied retrospectively through mycology records. Out of 588 specimens, 63 were reported to be positive. Among dermatophytes, Trichophyton genus was found to be commonest [65.08%] followed by Microsporum genus [19.05%] and Epidermophyton [3.17%] genera. Trichophyton infection was the predominant cause of disease of the hands and feet, 20 out of 28 cases, of the microsporum group, 7 out of 12 were isolated from scalp. Seven out of 10 cases of tinea capitis were caused by microsporum species. Trichophyton genus was more commonly isolated, overall from cases of dermatophytoses in Asir region of KSA. However, tinea capitis was predominantly caused by micorsporum species