Aim:
Dermatomycosis factors can change over time with geographical region, climate, socioeconomic status and lifestyle. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the patients who admitted our dermatology clinic with the preliminary diagnosis of dermatomycosis. Demographic data of the patients who admitted to our hospital and the factors isolated from the samples investigated.
Materials and Methods:
This study performed in January 2017 to December 2017 at Dermatology Department of Namık Kemal University School of Medicine. A total 448 samples obtained from patients who referred to the Dermatology clinic with a preliminary diagnosis of dermatomycosis were retrospectively evaluated.
Results:
In our study, the most frequent admissions to hospital were due to toe nail changes (28.5%), followed by trunk lesions (24.3%) and foot lesions except nail (22.5%).The most common differential diagnosis was lesions on the trunk (44.4%) followed by foot skin lesions (22.2%). Direct microscopic examination was positive in 35,8% specimens while fungal culture was positive in 5,8% cases. Trichophyton rubrum (56%) was the most common pathogen, followed by Candida albicans (12%) and Microsporum canis (8%).
Conclusion:
Foot lesions were the most common reason for admission to the hospital and Trichophyton rubrum was the most common causative agent. We think that increasing number of immunosuppressive individuals in the community revealed Candida albicans as the second agent. The high number of patients with onychomycosis and tinea pedis suggests that foot hygiene, care and protection is a social problem.
Keywords: Dermatophytosis, direct microscopic examination, fungal culture, superficial fungal infection