Incidence and distribution of Candida species isolated from human skin in Jordan

In the period between December 1992 and September 1993 a total of 1060 clinically suspected cases of dermatomycoses were examined for causative fungi. Of these 330 (31%) were suspected as cutaneous candidosis. A higher incidence was observed in adults (62.9%) than in children (36.2%) and infants (19.5%). The infected patients that were adults were divided into four categories: diabetics; those receiving steroid; those receiving antibiotic therapy; and a non-risk control group. Analysis of the data revealed that the incidence rate appears to be approximately doubled in diabetes (49.3%), steroid therapy (33.8%) and antibiotic therapy (27.4%) than in the control group (15.7%). Candida albicans was the most frequent isolate (57.6%) followed by Candida tropicalis (16.5%).