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