A Study on Demographic Profile and Risk Factor Association in Pityriasis Versicolor Cases Attending at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolkata

Pityriasis versicolor (PV), also known as tinea versicolor, is a chronic, mild, superficial and recurrent infection of the stratum corneum, caused by different Malassezia spp and seen predominantly in young age group and primarily in hot and humid climates. The aim of this study was to analyze epidemiological parameters and risk factors association in clinically diagnosed PV cases and also the mycological evaluation of those PV cases. Methods: A total of 116 patients attending the OPD of Dermatology were included and analysed for detailed history, clinical examination, epidemiological parameters, risk factors and investigations. Skin scrapings collected were processed by direct microscopy with 10% KOH and culture in modified Dixon agar (mDA). Isolates were identified by colony morphology, gram staining, biochemical characteristics & tween assimilation test. Results: Females were more affected (56.03%) than the males (43.97%) with F: M ratio 1.27:1. PV affected most commonly (36.21%) in 11-20 years of age group. Students (32.29%) were affected in maximum. Majority of affected patients (65.52%) used oily body creams, whereas 34.48% cases shared their body towels with others. 10.34% cases were associated with seborrheic dermatitis. Seasonal occurrence mostly seen in May - August. Patients with type III (Medium) complexion (56.03%) with normal skin texture (49.14%) were mostly affected. Maximum patients (74.14%) were associated with excessive sweating. 18.96% patients were associated with Type II DM. Most of the cases presented with macular, scaly hypopigmented, bilaterally asymmetrically distributed and having well defined margin. Neck was the most affected site (28.45%) followed by back (20.69%). Conclusion: M.furfur was the most common isolate (47.06%) followed by M. globosa (24.71%) and M. sympodialis (15.29%).