Clinico-mycological profiles of dermatophytosis in Jaipur, India

Dermatophytosis poses a serious crisis to the socio-economically backward population. The infections are caused by three anamorphic genera; Epidermophyton, Trichophyton and Microsporum which are distributed around the world. The objective of this study was to find out the occurrence, distribution and prevalence of dermatophytes causing human dermatomycosis in various categories of patients in Jaipur (Rajasthan), India. One hundred samples were collected, including infected skin and nails from Dermatology Department, Sawai Maan Singh Hospital, Jaipur for a period of June 2014 to January 2015. Before sample collection, the infected area was cleaned with 70% ethyl alcohol. Skin samples were collected with the help of sterilized scalpel and nail samples by clipping. Identification of causative pathogens was done by performing lacto-phenol cotton blue mount. Out of 100 samples, 79 were found positive by KOH examination and out of them 53 confirmed by culture. In the present study, Trichophyton rubrum (20.7%) was the predominant pathogen followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (16.9%) and Trichophyton interdigitale (13.2%). Tinea corporis was the most common clinical type reported in all age groups. The second most common clinical type was Tinea cruris. These infections were observed more frequently in the age group of 21 to 30 (55%) followed by 31 to 40 (24%).