Keratophilic fungi and the prevalence of dermatomycoses in Orissa, India

Abstract

A survey of rural and urban student populations was undertaken to determine the prevalence of dermatomycoses in the district of Puri (Orissa). Tinea corporis was found to be the predominant disease in rural area whereas t. cruris was dominant in the urban area. T. capitis was absent in both areas. Except for M. gypseum no other dermatophyte was isolated from soil. T. rubrum (87·5%) was the most commonly isolated fungus. Among the geophilic fungi isolated from soil, species of Chrysosporium were found to be the most common. Arachniotus flavoluteus, Petalosporus anodosus, Pseudoarachniotus citrinus, P. hyalinosporus and one unidentified Gymnoascacean were often associated with superficial mycosis. Asexual spores were observed in the isolates of P. nodulosus, P. citrinus and in the unidentified Gymnoascaous isolate.