ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Dermatophyte infections are superficial infections that affect the skin and are caused by fungi, namely dermatophytes. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dermatophyte infections among patients who attended the Dermatology Department in Setif public hospital, Algeria and to determine the associated risk factors to these infections. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a sample size of 400 respondents was designed to collect the data using a validated pre-tested questionnaire from February to June 2019. The collected data was then analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Results: The response rate was 98.4% (315 respondents) with an overall mean age (SD) of 38.81 (16.37) years old. The prevalence of dermatophyte infections among respondents was 33.7%, 26% of them have single infections. On the other hand, multiple logistic regression analysis showed an increased odd of having dermatophyte infections by three times among patients from low-income families (OR=3.23, 95% CI=1.09- 4.78, p=0.03). Similarly, the presence of chronic diseases led to a twofold increase in the odds of having dermatophyte infection among patients (OR=2.27, 95% CI=1.01-10.49, p=0.045). It was also found that poor attitudes towards preventing dermatophyte infections increased the odds of having dermatophyte infection by near to three times (OR=2.58, 95% CI=1.14-4.74, p=0.002). Conclusion: The high prevalence of dermatophyte infections presents a significant concern in Setif Province, Algeria. In this context, further efforts are needed to review the practiced control measures to optimize the effectiveness of these measures, which may reduce dermatophyte infections, especially among patients with chronic diseases.
ABSTRACT
A 50-year-old woman, an agriculture worker with diabetes and asthma presented to us with complaints of fever with chills, cough with scanty, mucopurulent sputum and dull aching chest pain in right mammary area radiating to axilla. Chest X-ray and computed tomography scan revealed mass in the right lung. Ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration cytology was done and the greenish fluid on direct wet mount and inoculation on Sabouraud's dextrose agar isolated Alternaria species. Serum specimen was evaluated for immunoglobulin E specific titres for Alternaria species which was high. Patient was treated with fluconazole for 6 weeks after which the symptoms disappeared and chest X-ray was normal.
ABSTRACT
Fungal infections of lungs are important infective processes which are being encountered more and more often in today’s practice. Fortunately, we only encounter a few of these pathogenic fungi. With more and more people undergoing organ transplantation and cytotoxic therapy, chances of encountering these diseases are steadily increasing. Though treatment is difficult, nevertheless, the results are encouraging. Hence, it is all the more important today to know these diseases well so that we are able to manage them scientifically. Diseases like ABPA, if diagnosed early, can be treated effectively so as to prevent progression to fibrotic stage and reduce the number of respiratory cripples. Invasive systemic mycosis is also amenable to multimodal therapy. With advent of newer imidazoles and newer modalities of drug delivery like liposomal amphotericin B, the so called complicated treatment modalities can be further simplified. Prophylaxis is today available for preventing PCP in immunocompromised patients and they need to adhere to prophylaxis.