Clinical and Mycological Patterns of Dermatophyte Infections in Patients Attending a Tertiary Care

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytosis is a common superficial fungal infection caused by dermatophytes of the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton, affecting keratinized tissues such as skin, hair, and nails. Changing epidemiological trends and increasing chronicity necessitate regular evaluation of clinical and mycological patterns in tertiary care settings. Aim: To determine the clinical and mycological patterns of dermatophyte infections and to correlate clinical diagnosis with potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy and culture findings among patients attending a tertiary care center. Methodology: This hospital-based descriptive observational study included 134 clinically diagnosed cases of dermatophytosis over one year. Detailed clinical evaluation was performed, and specimens were subjected to KOH mount and fungal culture on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar. Species identification was based on colony morphology and lactophenol cotton blue mount findings. Results: The majority of cases occurred in the 11–20 and 21–30 year age groups. Tinea corporis was the most common presentation, followed by tinea cruris, with annular morphology predominating. More than half of the cases were both KOH and culture positive. Among 82 culture-positive isolates, Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the predominant species, followed by Trichophyton rubrum. Conclusion: Dermatophytosis predominantly affects young individuals, with tinea corporis as the leading clinical form. Combined clinical and mycological evaluation enhances diagnostic accuracy, and Trichophyton species remain the principal etiological agents in this setting.