International Journal of Tropical Medicine
ISSN: Online 1818-779XISSN: Print 1816-3319
Abstract
Superficial fungal infections have become a significant health problem. The dermatophytes are one of the commonest infectious agents of man and no people or geographic areas are without them. To isolate and identify the dermatophyte species from clinically suspected/diagnosed cases of dermatophytosis patients attending a tertiary care hospital, Puducherry. A total of 110 samples were collected from clinically suspected/diagnosed cases of dermatophytosis patients visiting dermatology OPD. A portion of each sample was examined microscopically by KOH with and without 40% DMSO and the remaining portion of each sample was cultured into tubes of Sabouraud’s dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol with cycloheximide and Dermatophyte test Medium (DTM) with penicillin and cycloheximide. Dermatophytes were seen more in males (73/110). T. mentagrophytes was the predominant fungus found in this area of Puducherry followed by T. rubrum. When doing direct microscopic examination it was observed that DMSO produced rapid clearing of keratin and faster visualization of fungal hyphae when compared to plain KOH. The detection rate of fungal elements remained same by both methods. Dermatophyte Test Medium is a rapid means of identifying dermatophytes from clinical samples and also useful to start the antifungal drugs earlier to prevent its complications. Dermatophytic infections being more prevalent in puducherry where heat and moisture plays a major role. Early detection followed by rational antifungal therapy are important for better outcome.
How to cite this article:
T. Soniya, T. Archana Meena, R. Sriramajayam and Prathyusha Manipathruni. Spectrum of Dermatophytes in Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makijtm.2023.2.23.27
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1816-3319/10.59218/makijtm.2023.2.23.27