A CLINICOMYCOLOGICAL STUDY OF DERMATOPHYTE INFECTION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL AT GWALIOR - A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Introduction : Dermatophytosis are the most common type of superficial fungal infection seen in humans caused by keratinophilic fungi, capable of invading keratinized tissues of skin and its appendages.Tinea corporis is the commonest clinical type of dermatophyte in India followed by Tinea cruris. The distribution and frequency of Dermatophytosis and their etiologic agents vary according to the geographic region studied, the socioeconomic level of the population, the climatic variations, the presence of domestic animal and age of the individual. Objectives: This study was undertaken to isolate and identify the fungal pathogen causing dermatophytosis in patients attending skin OPD at J.A Group of Hospitals, Gwalior (M.P). Material and Methods : We prospectively analyzed 300 samples of dermatophytosis in our tertiary care hospital.Skin scrapings, hair and nails were collected and processed and fungal pathogens were identified by standard laboratory techniques. Result : Out of 300 Samples, 201 (67%) were culture positive among which prevalence of dermatophyte was maximum i.e 159 (53%) while (42)14% were non dermatophytic fungus and candida spp. Tinea corporis was the predominant dermatomycotic lesion accounted for 143 (47.67 %) cases followed by tinea cruris 46 (15.33 %) , Tinea manuum 17 (5.67 %), Tinea pedis 11 (3.66 %),Tinea faciei was seen in 3 (1 %) cases. 29 (9.67 %) were from Tinea capitis, 6 (2%) were from Tinea barbae, while Tinea unguium was 45 (15 %). Conclusion: Tinea corporis was the predominant clinical site from which dermatophytes were isolated.Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant species isolated from Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris, Tinea unguium and Tinea capitis.