Dermatophytes and levaduriform fungi causing superficial mycoses of skin in a dermatological center, San Lorenzo-Paraguay

Abstract

Introduction: superficial mycoses or dermatomycosis are among the most common skin infectious diseases. These are located in the superficial layers of the skin and its annexes (hair and nails), for this reason it´s a frecuent cause of medical consult. Of these mycoses, dermatophytosis, malasseziosis and cutaneous candidiasis are the most frequent. Objectives: describe the epidemiological characteristics of superficial mycoses of skin. Methodology: observational, retrospective and cross-sectional study, where epidemiological records of patients who were attended at the Dermatological Specialties Center were analyzed in the period from July 2017 to August 2019, with presumptive diagnosis of superficial mycoses of skin. Results: 341 cases of superficial mycosis of skin were observed. Among the causative agents, dermatophytes were responsible for 56 % (190/341) of the cases; Malassezia sp. 42 % (142/341) and Candida sp. 2 % (9/341). Three cases of mixed mycosis were observed; Candida spp. and Dermatophytes were the causative agents. Conclusion: among the superficial mycoses of skin, dermatophytes followed by malaseziosis are in the first places. This report constitutes an important contribution to the knowledge of the epidemiology of superficial mycoses in our country.