Determine of superficial mycoses prevalence and causative pathogens at workers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of superficial mycoses and causative pathogens at workers. Superficial mycoses were investigated in 1105 individuals. Specimens from 548 lesions of 385 individuals were taken with suspect of superficial fungal infection. Specimens taken from patients were brought to our laboratory under aseptic conditions. Specimens were examined with 20% KOH. Dublicate cultures of specimens were done on, Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Mycobiotic agar (MB) and incubated there at 26°C and 37°C. Isolated fungus were identified with appropriate mycological methods. Superficial mycoses were diagnosed in 211 (19%) out of 1105 individuals. Fungus were grown at 289 (53%) of 548 specimens; 64-(22.1%) and 225 (77.9%) of those were defined as yeast and dermatophytes respectively. Malassezia furfur was determined with native in 21 (3.8%). Tinea pedis (51.6%) was found to be the most frequent fungal infection. 32 patients were infected by more than one fungus. Distribution of causative agents among 225 dermatophytes was: Trichophyton rubrum 85.3% (192), Trichophyton mentagrophytes 13.3% (30), Epidermophyton floccosum 0.9% (2), Trichophyton schoenleinii 0.4% (1). The isolated fungi on follows; Candida albicans 57.8% (37), Candida tropicalis 36% (23), Candida guilliermondii 3.1% (2), Candida knusei 3.1% (2). This finding indicate that superficial mycoses are commonly encountered, and Trichophyton rubrum is the most common causative pathogen.