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. 2014 May;59(3):262-7.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.131391.

A clinical and mycological study of dermatophytic infections

Kak Surendran  1 , Ramesh M Bhat  2 , Rekha Boloor  3 , B Nandakishore  2 , D Sukumar  2
Affiliations

A clinical and mycological study of dermatophytic infections

Kak Surendran et al. Indian J Dermatol. 2014 May.

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytoses refer to superficial fungal infection of keratinized tissues caused by keratinophilic dermatophytes. According to observations worldwide, dermatophytoses are the most common of the superficial fungal infections. It is common in tropics and may present in epidemic proportions in areas with high rates of humidity. Although common, the precise size of the problem defies measurement.

Aims: The present study was undertaken to assess the clinical profile of dermatophytic infection and to identify the species of fungi that are prevalent in this region.

Materials and methods: A total of 100 patients clinically suspected for dermatophytoses were selected for the study. Direct microscopy in 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and culture was done in each case.

Results: Out of 100 patients, the maximum were seen in the age groups of 16-30 years. Tinea corporis was the most common clinical type (44.3%) followed by tinea cruris (38.2%). Overall positivity by culture was 39% and by direct microscopy 96%.

Conclusion: Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant species isolated (67.5%) in all clinical types followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Culturing the fungus may identify the species, but it is not essential for the diagnosis as it is not a sensitive test.

Keywords: Dermatophytosis; dermatophyte; tinea; trichophyton.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Nil.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Reverse view of macroscopic colony morphology of Trichophyton rubrum showing port-wine pigmentation
Figure 2
Figure 2
Micromorphology of Trichophyton rubrum showing microconidia present singly along the hyphae
Figure 3
Figure 3
Micromorphology of Trichophyton mentagrophyte showing microconidia, spherical, and pyriform shaped, arranged in clusters along the hyphae
Figure 4
Figure 4
Micromorphology of Epidermophyton floccosum showing terminal blunt club-shaped macroconidia attached together
Figure 5
Figure 5
Macroscopic morphology of Trichophyton schoenlienii showing cream colored colony having a cerebriform or honey comb appearance
Figure 6
Figure 6
Micromorphology of Trichophyton schoenlienii showing antler like terminals with terminal branching swollen hyphal tips
Figure 7
Figure 7
Obverse view of macroscopic colony morphology of Microsporum canis showing white velvety with central depression
Figure 8
Figure 8
Reverse view of macroscopic colony morphology of Microsporum canis showing yellowish pigment
Figure 9
Figure 9
Micromorphology of Microsporum canis showing predominantly pluriseptate macroconidia
Figure 10
Figure 10
Obverse view of macroscopic colony morphology of Microsporum audouinii showing grayish-white surface with mouse fur texture
Figure 11
Figure 11
Reverse view of macroscopic colony morphology of Microsporum audouinii showing peach colored pigment
Figure 12
Figure 12
Micromorphology of Microsporum audouinii showing few microconidia with chlamydospores and pectinate hyphae
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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