Fungal Infection in Thermal Burns: A Prospective Study in a Tertiary Care Centre

INTRODUCTION: Burn Wound Infection (BWI) is primarily caused by aerobic bacteria followed by fungi, anaerobes and viruses. There has been a worldwide decrease in incidence of bacterial infections in burns due to better patient care and availability of effective antibiotics. Consequently, the fungal burn wound infection has shown an increasing trend. AIM: The aim of study was to assess the frequency of fungal infections in thermal burn wounds with respect to age of wounds, total body surface involved, depth of burns and to assess common fungal pathogens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 50 patients admitted with thermal burn wounds having 20-60% burns in the surgical unit. Pus swab and scrapings were taken under local anaesthesia from each burn patient. Scrapings were put in a sterile container and sent to Mycology section of Microbiology department and were examined by direct microscopy and culture studies on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar medium in the Mycology section of Microbiology department. CONCLUSION: was found to be the most common fungus.