ETIOLOGY OF DERMATOPHYTOSIS : A STUDY FROM SOUTH INDIA
BACKGROUND: Dermatophytes are one of the most common fungal agents causing supercial skin infections. The prevalence of these infections varies from place to place and is more commonly associated with low socioeconomic status. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To isolate and identify the common dermatophytic species causing the infection and to know the efcacy of the antifungals commonly used against them. METHODS: One hundred and ten new cases, who consented for study were included. Skin scrapings were collected for direct microscopy by KOH and for fungal culture in Sabouraud 4% dextrose agar (SDA) with cycloheximide and dermatophyte test medium. Fungi were identied on the basis of their macroscopic and microscopic features with the help of lactophenol cotton blue staining and urease test. RESULTS: Of the 110 cases, 58 cases were KOH positive for fungal laments and culture positive for dermatophytes. Trichophyton was the predominant isolate (51 cases) with T. verrucosum being the commonest species (28 cases), followed by T. rubrum (16 patients), and T. mentagrophytes (7 cases). All species of Trichophyton were found to be most sensitive to systemic itraconazole and topical luliconazole amongst antifungals. CONCLUSIONS: Trichophyton species is the commonest organism causing fungal infections. Itraconazole and luliconazole are the most effective systemic and topical agents against them.