The Epidemiological and Mycological Profile of Superficial Mycoses in India from 2015 to 2021: A Systematic Review

Background: The epidemiological and mycological patterns of superficial mycoses across various geographic regions of India across the last few years are changing. Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the epidemiological and mycological profile of superficial mycoses in India between 2015 and 2021. Methods: In this systematic review, the PubMed database was searched for all observational studies published between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2021, which had evaluated the clinico‑mycological profile of superficial mycoses among outpatients from various parts of India. Descriptive statistics was used to represent the results. Results: Forty studies(21 from the north, three from the northeast, five from the east, seven from the south, one from the west, and three from multiple regions of India) were included. Male patients and those of the age group of 21–40 years were most commonly affected. The proportion of dermatophytes as causative organisms was consistently high across all regions and throughout the study period (23.6%–100%). Among dermatophytes, the proportion of Trichophyton mentagrophyte (14.0%–97.2%) and Trichophyton rubrum (0%–69.1%) was consistently high across all regions. The prevalence of T. mentagrophyte showed a rising trend, while that T. rubrum showed a declining trend from 2015 to 2021. Conclusions: The epidemiological and mycological pattern of superficial mycoses showed a fairly similar trend across various regions of India from 2015 to 2021. Dermatophytes were the main causative agents of superficial mycoses; the most common species were T. mentagrophyte and T. rubrum. A rising trend of T. Mentagrophyte infection was found.

Investigation of medication adherence for superficial mycoses among students in a college based on Morisky Medication Adherence Scale / 药学实践杂志

Objective To investigate the medication adherence of military academy students with superficial mycoses. Methods A 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS) was modified into 7-item scale to evaluate the compliance of antifungal drugs in the sick students. The reliability and validity of the scale were analyzed. Results A total of 243 questionnaires were collected, of which 242 were valid questionnaires. 90.08% of the students took topical medication and 8.68% were treated both with topical and systematic combination. High, medium and low medication adherence rates as assessed by the modified MMAS were 9.09%, 23.97% and 66.94%, respectively. The reliability analysis showed that the internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach’s α ) was 0.781，and the adjusted Cronbach’s α was 0.790, indicating the high reliability of the scale. The KMO value was 0.798, and the Bartlett’s spherical test value was 440.866, P=0.000. One factor was extracted by exploratory factor analysis. The factor loadings of the items were all above 0.5. Therefore, the high convergent validity was good. Conclusion The modified MMAS has good reliability and validity and is applicable for the evaluation of medication compliance for superficial mycoses. In this study, the military students have a low level of medication adherence for superficial mycoses. Effective measures should be taken to help students strengthen their daily medication management and improve compliance.

Dermatofitos: casuística en la Sección de Micología del Laboratorio Central de Salud Pública, Asunción - Paraguay (2000 - 2016) / Dermatophytes: casuistry in the Mycology Section of the Central Public Health Laboratory, Asunción - Paraguay (2000 - 2016)

Introducción: los dermatofitos son las principales causas de micosis superficial. Su epidemiología es poco conocida en Paraguay. Objetivos: describir las especies prevalentes, tipos de tiñas y características según sexo y edad de pacientes que acudieron al Laboratorio Central de Salud Pública, Asunción- Paraguay,en el período 2000-2016. Materiales y Métodos: se estudiaron pacientes de todas las edades con diagnóstico de micosis superficiales. Las muestras procesadas fueron uñas, pelos y escamas epidérmicas Se realizaron exámenes directos con KOH y cultivos. La identificación fue por macro y microscopía de las colonias. Resultados: de 6.652 pacientes con sospecha de micosis superficiales, 803 (12%) fueron positivas para dermatofitos. Los aislamientos fueron Microsporumcanis (33,9%), Trichophytonrubrum (23,8%), Trichophytonmentagrophytes (22%), Trichophytontonsurans (12,6%), Microsporumgypseum (6,2%), Trichophytonverrucosum (1,4%), un aislamiento para Microsporummanuumy Epidermophytonfloccosum respectivamente. Los tipos de tiñas fueron: capitis (54,3%), corporis (27,1%) yunguium (9,8%), pedís (3,8%), cruris (3%) y manuum (2%). Conclusión: el hongo prevalente fue Microsporumcanis (33,9%) y la tiña más frecuente fue capitis.

Introduction: dermatophytes are the main causes of superficial mycosis. Its epidemiology is less known in Paraguay. Objectives: to describe the prevalent species, types of tinea and features according to sex and age of patients who attended the Central Laboratory of Public Health, Asunción-Paraguay, in the period 2000-2016. Materials and Methods: patients of all ages with a diagnosis of superficial mycosis were studied. The samples processed were nails, hairs and epidermal scales. Direct tests were carried out with KOH and cultures. The identification was by macro scopy and microscopy of the colonies. Results: of 6,652 patients with suspected superficial mycoses, 803 (12%) were positive for dermatophytes. The isolates were Microsporum canis (33.9%), Trichophyton rubrum (23.8%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (22%), Trichophyton tonsurans (12.6%), Microsporum gypseum (6.2%), Trichophyton verrucosum (1,4%), isolation for Microsporum manuum and Epidermophyton floccosum respectively. The types of tinea were: capitis (54.3%), corporis (27.1%) and unguium (9.8%), pedis (3.8%), cruris (3%) and manuum (2%). Conclusion: The prevalent fungus was Microsporum canis (33.9%) and the most frequent tinea was capitis.

Micosis superficiales: casuística del Departamento de Micología del Instituto Nacional de Higiene “Rafael Rangel”, Caracas,Venezuela (2001-2014) / Superficial mycoses: casuistry of the Mycology Department of the Instituto Nacional de Higiene “Rafael Rangel”, Caracas, Venezuela (2001-2014)

Las micosis superficiales son muy comunes y por ello son motivo de consulta médica frecuente. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la frecuencia de diagnóstico de las micosis superficiales en el Departamento de Micología del Instituto Nacional de Higiene “Rafael Rangel” en Caracas, Venezuela, durante 14 años (2001-2014). Se realizó un estudio transversal y retrospectivo de revisión de historias micológicas de pacientes con diagnóstico presuntivo de micosis superficial. Las muestras procesadas fueron uñas, pelos y escamas epidérmicas. La identificación de los hongos se realizó mediante observación macro y microscópica de las colonias y pruebas de identificación bioquímicas y fisiológicas, según requerimiento del agente aislado. Para la investigación de Malassezia spp. solo se realizó examen directo. De las 3228 muestras procesadas, 1098 (34%) resultaron positivas y su distribución según el agente etiológico fue: 79,5% dermatofitos; 10,9% levaduras; 5,1% hongos no dermatofitos y 4,5% Malassezia spp. El dermatofito más aislado fue el Complejo Trichophyton rubrum (70,1%), seguido del Complejo T. mentagrophytes (15,1%), Microsporum canis (9,4%) y Epidermophyton floccosum (4%). Las tiñas más frecuentes fueron: Tinea unguium (66,8%), seguida de Tinea pedis (16,4%) y Tinea capitis (8,1%). En el grupo de levaduras el Complejo Candida parapsilosis (37,5%) fue el más aislado y entre los hongos no dermatofitos el más frecuente fue Fusarium spp. (53,6%), seguido de Aspergillus spp. (19,6%) y Acremonium spp. (10,7%). La identificación del agente etiológico es fundamental para orientar un tratamiento adecuado. Esta casuística constituye un aporte importante para el conocimiento de la epidemiología de las micosis superficiales en nuestro país.

The superficial mycoses are very common infectious diseases and therefore are a frequent reason for medical consultation. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic frequency of superficial mycoses in the Mycology Department of the Instituto Nacional de Higiene “Rafael Rangel” during 14 years (2001-2014). A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed to review the mycological records of patients with presumptive diagnosis of superficial mycosis. Nails, hairs and epidermal scales were the processed samples. The identification of fungi was performed by macro and microscopic observation of colonies and biochemical and physiological tests, as required of the isolated agent. For the investigation of Malassezia spp. only direct examination was performed. Of the 3 228 samples processed, 1 098 (34%) were positive and their distribution according to the etiological agent was: dermatophytes 79.5%; 10.9% yeasts; non-dermatophytes fungi 5.1% and 4.5% Malassezia spp. The most frequently isolated dermatophyte was Trichophyton rubrum Complex (70.1%), followed by T. mentagrophytes complex (15.1%), Microsporum canis (9.4%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (4%). The most frequent ringworms were: Tinea unguium (66.8%), followed by Tinea pedis (16.4%) and Tinea capitis (8.1%). Candida parapsilosis complex (37.5%) was the most frequently isolated yeast and Fusarium spp. (53.6%) was the most isolated among non-dermatophyte fungi, followed by Aspergillus spp. (19.6%) and Acremonium spp. (10.7%). The identification of the etiological agent is essential to guide appropriate treatment. This study constitutes an important contribution to the knowledge of the epidemiology of superficial mycoses in our country.

Micosis superficiales en la población Yanomami de la región de Mawaca, estado Amazonas / Superficial mycoses in the Yanomami population of the Mawaca Region, Amazon State

Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo determinar la presencia de micosis superficiales (MS) en la etnia Yanomami de Mawaca, estado Amazonas. De 176 personas examinadas, 64 mostraron lesiones sospechosas de MS, obteniendo 65 muestras: 10 de pitiriasis versicolor (PV) y 55 de dermatofitosis. El estudio micológico consistió en realizar exámenes directos, cultivos en agares micológicos, perforación del pelo in vitro, pruebas de ureasa y agar púrpura de bromocresol-glucosa-sólidos lácteos (Agar BCP-MS-G). De las 10 muestras sospechosas de PV, 3 fueron positivas, dos de niños menores de 10 años y una de un adulto, todos con lesiones en cara. En 36 raspados obtenidos se observaron hifas hialinas septadas. Se aislaron 52 colonias sospechosas de dermatofitos y de éstos, uno fue compatible con el Complejo Microsporum gypseum, de una lesión en la rodilla de un adulto. Las 51 restantes pertenecieron al Complejo Trichophyton rubrum, de los cuales, nueve perforaron el pelo in vitro, 24 hidrolizaron la urea y ninguno alcalinizó el medio Agar BCP-MS-G; la forma clínica fue tinea corporis y las lesiones se localizaron principalmente en espalda y oreja en adultos y niños, respectivamente. Estos resultados revelan la existencia de MS en la población Yanomami, sirviendo de base para futuros estudios epidemiológicos.

The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of superficial mycoses (SM) in the Yanomami ethnicity at Mawaca, Amazon State. Of 176 persons examined, 64 showed suspicious SM lesions, from which we obtained 65 samples: 10 pytiriasis versicolor (PV) and 55 dermatophytosis. The mycological study consisted in carrying out direct examination, culture in mycological agar, in vitro hair perforation, and urease and bromocresol purple-milk solids glucose agar (BCP-MS-G Agar) tests. Of the 10 PV suspicious lesions, 3 were positive, two in children under 10 years old and one in an adult, all with face lesions. In 36 scrapings we saw septate hyaline hyphae. Fifty-two dermatophyte suspicious colonies were isolated and of these, one was compatible with the Microsporum gypseum Complex, from a lesion on the knee of an adult. The other 51 belonged to the Trichophyton rubrum Complex, of which nine were in vitro hair perforations, 24 hydrolized urea, and none alkalinized the BCP-MS-G agar medium; the clinical form was tinea corporis and the lesions were mainly localized at the back and ears in children and adults respectively. These results reveal the existence of SM in the Yanomami population, serving as basis for future epidemiological studies.

Interdigital foot infections: Corynebacterium minutissimum and agents of superficial mycoses

Interdigital foot infections are mostly caused initially by dermatophytes, yeasts and less frequently by bacteria. Erythrasma caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum can be confused with superficial mycoses. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of the etiologic agents of superficial mycoses and the frequency of Corynebacterium minutissimum in interdigital foot infections. All the samples obtained from the 121 patients with interdigital foot infections were examined directly with the use of 20% potassium hydroxide mounts and Gram stain under the microscope and cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar plates. In identification of superficial mycoses, the rate was found to be 14% with the cultural method and 14% with direct microscopic examination. Using a combination of direct microscopic examination and culture, a 33.8% ratio was achieved. In the culture of these samples, the most isolated factor was Trichophyton rubrum (33.7%). In 24 of the patients (19.8%) Corynebacterium minutissimum was detected by Gram staining, in 6 of these patients Trichophyton rubrum was found, Trichophyton mentagrophytes was found in 2 and Trichosporon spp. was found in 1. The examination of interdigital foot lesions in the laboratory, the coexistence of erythrasma with dermatophytes and yeast should be considered.

A 7-year survey of superficial and cutaneous mycoses in a public hospital in Natal, Northeast Brazil

In the present study, we determined the frequency of superficial and cutaneous mycoses and their etiologic agents during a 7-year period (2002-2008) in Natal, Brazil. A total of 1,717 specimens of skin, nail, and hair were collected from 1,382 patients with suspected mycoses lesions and were then subjected to direct microscopy and culture.

Micosis superficiales / Superficial mycoses

Las micosis superficiales constituyen una patología prevalente en Dermatología. Son producidas por dos grandes grupos de hongos: las levaduras y los dermatofitos (tiñas). Las primeras ocurren por una alteración de la microbiota que lleva a una proliferación del hongo y las segundas son infecciones exógenas en que el contagio está dado por transmisión de un animal u otra persona. A las tiñas se les denomina por el nombre del área anatómica afectada. En el presente artículo, se entregan las herramientas para el manejo de estas patologías por parte del médico no especialista, se señalanlos aspectos más relevantes de la clínica y los medicamentos usados en los diferentes tratamientos orales y tópicos. Se sugieren también los criterios de derivación al especialista.

Superficial mycoses are a prevalent dermatological pathology. These are produced by two major groups of fungi, yeasts and dermatophytes (tinea infections or ringworm). The former occur by an alteration of the microbiota that leads to a proliferation of yeasts and the latter are exogenous infections transmitted by an animal or another person. Tinea infections are called by the name of the affected anatomicalarea. This paper provides tools to non-specialist physicians to manage these conditions, identifying the most relevant clinical aspects and oral and topical treatment options. It alsosuggests criteria for referral to a specialist.

Micosis superficiales en la ciudad de Valparaíso, Chile: Período 2007-2009 / Superficial mycoses in the city of Valparaiso, Chile: Period 2007-2009

Introduction: Superficial mycoses are infections of the keratinous tissue caused by dermatophytes, yeasts and environmental fungi. Objectives: To identify the species of dermatophytes, yeasts and environmental fungi that cause superficial mycosis and analyze their differences by sex, age and location of the lesion, in patients from the region of Valparaiso, during 2007-2009. Materials and Methods: 1004 patients diagnosed with superficial mycoses were studied. All ages and both genera were included. The study was done using direct microscopic examination with 20 percent KOH and culture of the lesions. Fungi identification was mainly morphophysiological. Results: Of the 1004 patients studied, 609 were women and 87.7 percent was 15 years old or younger. Toenail onychomycosis was the most frequent lesion (58.1 percent), followed by tinea pedis and interdigitalis (16.3 percent). In patients younger than 8 years old, tinea capitis by Microsporum canis was the most common mycoses. Among dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum (78.9 percent) predominated in most locations, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (14.9 percent) and M. canis (5.4 percent). Candida spp. (95.4 percent) prevailed among the yeasts causing onychomycosis. There were 27 cases of toenail onychomycosis caused by environmental fungi, mainly Fusarium. Conclusions: Our results are consistent with national and international data, where T. rubrum is the predominant agent of dermatomycoses. We report the emergency of agents not described in Chile or Latin America in these infections.

Introducción: Las micosis superficiales son infecciones causadas por dermatofitos, levaduras y hongos ambientales en tejidos queratínicos. Objetivos: Conocer las especies de dermatofitos, levaduras y hongos ambientales que causan micosis superficiales, analizar sus diferencias según sexo, edad y localización en pacientes de la Región de Valparaíso durante el período 2007-2009. Materiales y Métodos: Se estudiaron 1.004 pacientes de todas las edades, con diagnóstico de micosis superficiales. Se realizó examen microscópico directo con KOH al 20 por ciento y cultivos de las lesiones. La identificación de los hongos fue principalmente con morfo-fisiología. Resultados: De 1.004 pacientes evaluados, 609 fueron mujeres y 87,7 por ciento tenían sobre 15 años de edad. La onicomicosis de pie fue la lesión más frecuente (58,1 por ciento), seguida de tinea plantar e interdigital (16,3 por ciento). Bajo 8 años de edad, tinea capitis por Microsporum canis fue la lesión más frecuente. Entre los dermatofitos, Trichophyton rubrum (78,9 por ciento) predominó en la mayoría de las localizaciones, seguido por Trichophyton mentagrophytes (14,9 por ciento) y M. canis (5,4 por ciento). Entre las levaduras predominó Candida spp (95,4 por ciento) como causa de onicomicosis. Hubo 27 casos de onicomicosis de pies por hongos filamentosos ambientales, destacando por frecuencia el género Fusarium. Conclusiones: Los datos presentados coinciden en general con los trabajos nacionales e internacionales, donde T. rubrum predomina en la mayoría de las dermatomicosis. Destaca la aparición de agentes no descritos en Chile ni en Latinoamérica en este tipo de infecciones.

Estudio clínico-epidemiológico de las micosis superficiales en conejos de bioterio convencional / Clinical Epidemiological Study of Superficial Mycoses in Rabbits from Conventional animal facilities

Las micosis superficiales son afecciones causadas por hongos que viven sobre la piel y/o en sus anexos. Se realizó un estudio en 214 conejos Nueva Zelanda blancos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) de entre 19 días y 5 años de edad, reproducidos por más de 16 años en el Bioterio del Instituto Nacional de Higiene "Rafael Rangel", con la finalidad de determinar la incidencia y prevalencia de las micosis superficiales y los factores epidemiológicos asociados. El estudio contempló la clínica, el laboratorio y su epidemiología. El tamaño de la muestra se estimó por el programa Epi-Info versión 5,01, estableciéndose 15% de frecuencia esperada, 5% de error y un nivel de 95% de confianza. Se evaluó el estado general de los animales, así como la presencia de alopecias y lesiones descamativas. La toma de muestras de pelos y escamas epidérmicas fue realizada por tracción mecánica y raspado. Se realizó examen directo de las muestras con KOH al 10% más tinta Parker y se sembraron en tubos de agar Mycosel y Lactritmel. Para establecer el patrón de ocurrencia de las micosis se determinó incidencia acumulada, incidencia y prevalencia en tasas y proporciones. Los principales hongos hallados causantes de micosis superficiales fueron: T. mentagrophytes (dermatofito) y Scopulariopsis sp. (no dermatofito). Se obtuvo una incidencia acumulada de 45% en doce meses de observación y 8% de casos sospechosos por animal-mes. La prevalencia osciló entre 3,6% y 4,8% en casos confirmados. Los resultados aportan información para la aplicación de buenas prácticas de laboratorio y contribuyen con el programa de control de calidad del biomodelo.

The superficial mycoses are diseases caused by fungi that live on the skin and/or in their annexes. It was carried out a study in 214 white New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) between 19 days and 5 years of age, reproduced for more than 16 years, in the animal facilities of the National Institute of Hygiene «Rafael Rangel¼, to determine the incidence and prevalence of the superficial mycoses and the associated epidemic factors. The study contemplated the clinic, laboratory and epidemiology. The size of the sample was estimated by Epi- Info version 5,01 program settling down 15% of prospective frequency, 5% error and 95% confidence level. Alopecia and descamative lesions, as well as the general state of the animals, was evaluated. Hair samples and epidermal flakes was taking out by mechanical traction and rasped. Direct exam with 10% KOH plus Parker ink was carried out and the samples were seeded in Mycosel and Lactritmel agar tubes. It was determined: accumulated incidence, and prevalence in rates and proportions to establish the occurrence pattern of the mycoses. The main fungi causing superficial mycoses were: T. mentagrophytes (dermatophyte) and Scopulariopsis sp. (nondermatophyte). An accumulated incidence of 45% was obtained in twelve months of observation and 8‰ of suspicious cases per animal-month. The prevalence oscillated between 3,6% and 4,8% in confirmed cases. This result give information for good laboratory practices application and contributes with the quality control program of the biological models.

Histopathologic Features of Mycotic Infections / 대한의진균학회지

Fungal diseases are grouped arbitarily into three broad categories based on the predominant location of infection within the body : superficial, cutaneous and subcutansous, and systemic. The Histopathologic features of more common fungal diseases were summarized in the table 1. and described in the text briefly. Herein described were superficial mycoses including dermatophytoses, pityriasis versicolor, cutaneous and subcutaneous including chromomycosis, rhinosporiodiosis, sporotrichosis, and systemic mycoses such as aspergillosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis, fusariosis, zygomycosis and pneumocystosis. Characteristic and main histologic findings are granulomatous inflammation with respective organisms. The diagnosis of mycotic disease has four basic approach: clinical, mycologic, immunologivc and pathologic. Variety of host reaction are noted from non-specific reaction to granulomatous or mycetoma formation. Most important thing is mycological isolation and identification in the tissue. Multiple sections and special stains such as Gomori`s methenamine silver, Perioidic Acid Schiff, mucin stains, gram stains, acid fast stain, Giemsa stains are also very useful.