A survey of the etiological agents of scalp and nail dermatophytosis in Yazd, Iran in ۲۰۱۴-۲۰۱۵

Background and Purpose: Tinea capitis and tinea unguium are regarded as global public health concerns. The purpose of the present study was to identify the etiological agents of tinea capitis and tinea unguium in patients, referring to the Central Laboratory of Yazd University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted during ۲۰۱۴-۲۰۱۵. Skin scraping, scalp hair, and nail clipping specimens were collected from ۱۳۴ patients (۸۰ males and ۵۴ females) with clinical features suggesting fungal involvement. Direct microscopic examinations were carried out, using potassium hydroxide ۱۰%, while culture studies were performed on Sabouraud dextrose agar, containing chloramphenicol and cycloheximide at ۲۸°C for four weeks. Fungal colonies were identified based on their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, as well as supplementary diagnostic tests. Results: Among ۱۳۴ patients, ۱۲ cases showed positive results on direct examination and culture studies. The frequency of infections was equal among male and female subjects. Among ۱۲ affected cases, the frequency of tinea capitis and tinea unguium was ۹۱.۶% and ۸.۴%, respectively. Microsporum canis (۵۰%) was the most prevalent species, followed by Trichophyton verrucosum (۲۵%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (۲۵%). Also, tinea unguium, caused by T. mentagrophytes, was found in a female patient. Conclusion: The etiological agents of scalp and nail dermatophytosis have changed in Yazd over the past ۱۳ years. In the present study, replacement of anthropophilic dermatophytes by zoophilic species was noteworthy, highlighting the necessity of efficient surveillance for the management and prevention of infections.

Keywords:

dermatophytes , Iran , Onychomycosis , Tinea capitis