The prevalence of CutaneousTricophyton Spp in patients with skin mycosis in Babylon Province

Abstract EN

Background: Trichophyton is a keratinophilic filamentous fungus which has the ability to invade keratinized tissues thus; it is considered as one of the leading causes of hair, skin, and nail infections in humans.

Most of the Trichophyton species have teleomorphic forms and these teleomorphs are classified under genus Arthroderma Obgective: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of Tricophyton spp.infection among patients with skin mycosis in Alhella, the center of Babylon Province.

Subject and Methods: During the period from Oct.

/2010 to May.

/2011, a total of 972 specimens (Skin scraping and nail were collected from patients attending the out-patient clinic for dermatology and venereal diseases in Babylon General Hospital.

Direct microscopical examination and culture were done for specimens.

Identification of Tricophyton spp.

based on standard cultural and biochemical criteria.

All data were statistically analyzed according to Chi-Square and Kolmogrov-smirnovz (P<0.05).

Resuls:The results revealed that 753 (77.5%) patients were clinically and laboratory confirmed as having skin mycosis, 197 (26.2%) of them have Tricophyton infection.The prevalence of Tricophyton infection was significantly higher in folded skin 124(62.9) compared to other body sites and in females compared to males (66.5% vs.

33.5%).

Additionally, the highest prevalence was recorded in 12-21 years age group, and there was non-significant difference in the infection rate regarding the residence.

Conclusion: Tricophyton constitutes about one quarter of skin mycoses infections in Babylon Province, so must raise awareness of health and increase health education among people and make them be known of the diseases which are caused by fungi and their danger, and the importance of diagnosing them as early as possible and to treat them and control their spread ,make independent units in the hospital Laboratory to diagnose the fungal diseases and send specialized medical groups to the endemic areas with the fungal diseases.