Prevalence of Dermatophytes Skin Infections in Babylon Province

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytosis is an infection produced by dermatophytic fungi in the keratinized tissues. Dermatophytes are fungi that infect skin, hair and nails of both humans and animals, they are the primary causative agent of dermatophytosis. Objective :   Detecting the types and the frequencies of the dermatophytes infections in Babylon Province. Methods:   In this study, 254 specimens  of dermatophytic patients are collected in Babylon province. Collection of Specimens include: skin Scrapings, hair fragments and nail clippings  . The specimens were diagnosed by direct microscopic examination and culture. Results : 213 (83.86%) specimens of dermatophytes infection were positive in direct microscopic examination and culture , and used in phenotypic diagnosis .Tinea  corporis was the predominant infection in 106 (41.73%)   patients, Ttichophyton  rubrum showed the highest frequency of dermatophytes isolates 36 (16.90%) , Ttichophyton mentagrophytes 31 (14.55%)  and Microsporum canis 30 (14.08%). The invasion of  hair was ectothrix type, forming masses of arthroconidia on the outside of the hair shaft  in 57 (78.08%) specimens, while the invasion of hair was endothrix type, and abundant sporulation inside the hair shaft causes breakage of the hair near the surface of the scalp in 16 (21.92%) specimens. Conclusion: Tinea corporis was the predominant infection. T. rubrum , T. mentagrophytes and M.  canis showed the highest frequency of dermatophytes isolates. Positive direct microscopic  examination and culture isolates could be  used in phenotypic diagnosis.

Key words : Dermatophytosis, T. rubrum , T. mentagrophytes and M.  canis