Mycological study of Dermatophytosis in rural population

Abstract

100 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis were subjected to mycological examination with microscopy and culture using 10% KOH and Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar ( SDA) and Dermatophyte test medium(DTM) .Causative agents were identified macroscopically and microscopically from the growth obtained from SDA. Direct microscopy revealed fungal elements in 43% cases , Of which 58% were positive on culture. Commonest age group affected is between 21-30 years and males outnumbered females 1.3:1. 32% gave history of possible sources of infection. Tinea corporis was the commonest lesion (27% ) followed by Tinea pedis (17%) and Tinea unguium (17%) lesions in mixed sites are seen in 9% cases .Tricophyton rubrum was the commonest aetiological agent (51.72%), followed byT.mentagrophytes(31.0%), T.violaceum(6.89%), T.verrucosum (3.4%)and Microsporum gypseum (6.89). DTM is more useful as a general screening medium as opposed to an identification medium in the isolation of dermatophytes.