Estimation of zinc, iron and copper in dermatophyte infections

Sixty patients with dermatophyte infections were included. They were divided into three groups: 20 patients with tinea capitis, 20 patients with tinea corporis and 20 patients with onychomycosis. Twenty individuals were chosen as a control group. There was a significant decrease of serum zinc and iron levels in all infected groups as compared with control, and there was a significant increase of serum copper level in all infected groups as compared with control. In tinea corporis group there was a significant increase in skin zinc and copper levels as compared with control. It was concluded that the trace elements content of serum and skin in dermatophyte infections were quite different from normal individuals

Clinical and microbiological study of otitis externa

Sixty patients with external otitis were studied to define the different clinical patterns, establish the relative incidence of bacteria and fungi, and to investigate the role of some predisposing factors in the development of otitis externa in Alexandria. Associated skin disease was found to be the most predisposing factor and Staph. aureus was the commonest isolated [46%], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [8.3%] and fungi [25%]