Abstract

Prevalence and Socio-economic Correlation of Dermatophytes Isolated from Clinical Samples in a Tertiary Care Centre in South India

Author(s): Lavanya V. 1*& S. S. Solabannavar

Dermatophytes are by far the most significant fungi because of their widespread involvement of population at large and their prevalence all over the world, particularly in the tropical and subtropical countries like India. The present study was undertaken to determine the social & demographic factors including occupational correlation of various dermatophytic infections. Skin, nail and hair specimens taken from a total of one hundred and five clinically diagnosed randomly selected patients of dermatophytosis attending the outpatient department of Dermatology and Venereology, HSK Hospital and Research Centre, Bagalkot , North Karnataka, India. Patient data was collected using a pre-structured and pre-tested proforma which included age, sex, socio-economic status, Region (rural or urban), occupation, etc. The social, demographic & occupational factors were then correlated with the clinic-mycological diagnosis of dermatophytosis. Dermatophytosis was more common in the age group of 31-40 years (27.6%) and in males (70.48%). Most of the patients belonged to low socio-economic status (51.43%) and of rural region. Fungi were demonstrated in 74 cases (70.48%) either by KOH and/or culture. Dermatophytosis was more common in manual workers (48.6%). Most common clinical type was tinea corporis (44.8%) followed by tinea cruris (18.09%). Most common aetiological agent was T. rubrum (51.35%).

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