Epidemiologic surveillance of cutaneous fungal infection and its causative agents in patients referred to Razi laboratory, Rasht, Iran: A retrospective study from ۲۰۱۶-۲۰۲۱

Introduction: Information on epidemiologic trends of dermatophytosis and its causative agents is essential for the healthcar e system to improve its knowledge of associated complications. The main purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of fungal strains and the infection sites of patients with dermatophytosis. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, the demographical data and clinical characteristics of ۶۴۱ patients with a positive fungal culture who were refe rred to Razi pathobiological laboratory, Rasht, Iran, between ۲۰۱۶ ۲۰۲۱ were collected. All data were analyzed using SPSS software version ۲۱ by a significant level of < ۰.۰۵. Results: Out of ۶۴۱ patients, ۷۰% were female and the mean age of patients was ۴۳.۹۸ ± ۱۶.۹۹ years. Laboratory analysis demonstrated that Candida Albicans (۴۴/۹%), Aspergillus (۳۱/۸%), and Dermatophytes (۱۸%) were the most common causes of superficial cutaneous fungal infections. Among the dermatophytes, the most common pathogens were Trichophyton mentagrophytes (۵۳%) and Trichophyton Rubrum (۲۰.۸%), also, the most common site of infection was nail (۶۴.۴%) Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of Candida Albicans and Aspergillus, especially in females, it is important to determine preventive protocols for fungal infections and better clinical management of the patients involved.

Keywords:

Dermatophytosis Fungal Infec tions Trichophyton Candida , Aspergillus Tinea