A Study on Mycological Profile of Superficial Mycoses in a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital of Eastern India

Background: Superficial mycosis is a very common fungal infection worldwide of the skin, hair and nails by dermatophytes, non dermatophytes and yeasts. Though they do not cause mortality, but are important agents causing morbidity, cosmetic disfigurement and recurrence leading to a major public health problem. Aim: Determine the clinico-mycological correlation and prevalence of dermatophytosis. Material and Methods: A six months observational cross sectional study was conducted from July 2019-December 2019 on 156 clinically diagnosed cases of superficial mycosis with no systemic complaints. Specimens were examined macroscopically as well as microscopically by KOH and culture. Result: Dermatophytosis was more in the males <40 years. KOH positivity was 100% and dermatophytes were the commonest superficial fungal infection 101/156 (64.74%), followed by Candidiasis 36/156 (23.08%). Non dermatophyte moulds in 06/156 (3.85%) and Malassezia furfur in 13/156 (8.33%) cases. Trichophyton was the commonest dermatophyte isolated (52.47%). Conclusions: Non-dermatophytic fungi are emerging as an important cause of superficial mycoses.