Spectrum of Dermatophytes Causing Tinea Corporis and Possible Risk Factors in Rural Patients of Madurai Region, South India

• Main Authors: Anand Bhimaray Janagond, Rajendran T, Surjeet Acharya, Vithiya G, Ramesh A, Jhansi Charles
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Pvt. Ltd. 2016-10-01
• Series: National Journal of Laboratory Medicine
• Subjects: dermatophytoses; rural population; trichophyton
• Online Access: http://www.njlm.net/articles/PDF/2180/23516_F(GH)_PF1(VsuGH)_PFA(GH)_PF2(VsuGH).pdf

Introduction: Fungi are among the most common causes of skin infections in tropical developing countries and dermatophytes are responsible for largest number of superficial mycoses. Dermatophyte species causing infections vary with time and geographical location. Identifying responsible risk factors may help in prevention and control of the dermatophytosis. Aim: To determine the spectrum of dermatophytes causing Tinea corporis and possible risk factors in patients residing in rural areas around Madurai city, South India. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective cross sectional study conducted in a private tertiary care hospital in Madurai during July to August 2015. Skin scrapings from 50 consenting individuals from rural areas (irrespective of their age, sex) with typical Tinea corporis lesions were used for KOH examination and culture on Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar. A detailed history of patient occupation, address, contact with animals/soil, family history of similar disease, hygiene details including bathing frequency per day, type of water used for bathing, sharing of clothing with other individuals, were recorded in the structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistical tools like mean and percentages were used to analyze the results. Results: Among the 50 subjects, 48% were students and 26% were doing agriculture related work, 18% individuals had regular exposure to pet animals and 10% to farm animals. About 20% individuals had similar lesions in family members/ classmates. Majority of the subjects (70%) shared clothes (mostly bath towel, lungi) with family members. 20% of the subjects had positive past history. Dermatophytes were isolated in 36% of the subjects, most common being Trichophyton rubrum (16%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (10%), Trichophyton tonsurans (4%), Trichophyton verrucosum (4%) and Trichophyton violaceum (2%); Most (89%) of them were anthropophilic dermatophytes Conclusion: Anthropophilic dermatophytes are commonest causes of Tinea corporis in rural population of Madurai region. Thus, infected men (84%) are the commonest sources of infection. Sharing of clothes and close contact with infected persons at home/school environment was most common potential risk factor. Proper education about maintenance of personal hygiene and importance of compliance to treatment should be provided to the population.