Profile of Dermatophyte and Non Dermatophyte Fungi in Patients Suspected of Dermatophytosis

Fungal infections of hair, nail and skin are common worldwide and continue to increase. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of dermatophytosis, isolation rates and the profile of fungi associated with dermatophytosis. Samples were collected from 305 patients and a portion of each sample was examined microscopically and the remaining portion was cultured on to plates of Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar containing chloramphinical with and without cychloheximide. Fungal cultures were identified by studying macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of their colonies. Of 305 clinical samples, fungi were detected in 265 (86.9%) samples by KOH and 224 (73.4%) clinical samples were culture positive. Dermatophytes were the most common isolates accounting 130 (58.0%) of the total isolates and this was followed by nondermatophyte molds and yeasts that accounted 49 (21.9 %.) and 45 (20.0%) respectively. T. violaceum was the dominant species accounting for 49 (37.7%) dermatophyte isolates. Candida albicans was the dominant species accounting 30 (66.7%) of the total yeast isolates. The genus Aspergillus was the most common non-dermatophyte molds consisting of 13 (26.5%) species. Tinea unguium was the predominant clinical manifestation accounting 51.1% of the cases of which 119 (76.3%) were from females and 37 (23.7%) from males. T. violaceum was the most common pathogen in tinea unguium and tinea capitis, whereas T. mentagrophytes was the most common pathogen in tinea pedis and tinea manum. Seventy five percent of yeasts and 77.6% non dermatophyte molds were isolated from nails. Along with dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte fungi are also emerging as important causes of dermatophytosis. Both direct microscopy and culture are important tools for diagnosis of the fungal infections.