Clinico-Mycological study of tinea pedis and toe nail onychomycosis: A multi-center study from Jammu

Introduction: Tinea Pedis (T. Pedis) and toe nail Onychomycosis is a chronic relapsing superficial fungal infection, often associated with that of other cutaneous areas. Dermatophytes are the commonest organisms in T. Pedis and Onychomycosis, Trichophyton Rubrum (T. Rubrum) being the commonest isolate. The causative species may be different from place to place, so it is important to have a knowledge about the dermatophytes causing T. Pedis and Onychomycosis in a particular area, so that specific agents are used for effective treatment, and prevent drug resistance. Aims: Study morphological patterns of T. Pedis and toe nail Onychomycosis and find causative fungal species. Material and Methods: Prospective hospital based study over 1 year period, on clinically diagnosed cases of T. Pedis and toe nail Onychomycosis, confirmed by positive results on microscopic examination of KOH preparation. Culture was done to isolate the specific pathogen involved. Results: Out of 150 patients, 60 (40%) had T. Pedis alone, 34 (22.7%) Toe nail Onychomycosis alone and 56 (37.3%) both T. Pedis and Onychomycosis in the same patient. On culture, 56 patients out of 150 (37.3%) showed a positive fungal growth. 30 out of 56 patients (53.3%) of mixed T. Pedis and Onychomycosis were positive. 16 out of 60 patients (26.7%) of T. Pedis and 10 out of 34 (29.4%) Onychomycosis patients respectively were culture positive. Conclusion: Among all the clinically diagnosed and KOH positive patients, culture positivity was established in 56 (37.3%) patients only, T. Rubrum being the most common fungal strain, followed by T. Mentagrophyte.