Clinico-mycological Study of Dermatophytosis at a Tertiary Care Centre-A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Dermatophytes, hyaline septate molds, are divided into Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum, which produce protease enzyme, enabling skin, hair shaft, and nail colonization and infection.This study is undertaken to study clinical presentation and laboratory identification of fungal species in suspected cases of dermatophytosis.Methods: The study involved 404 patients suspected of dermatophytosis at Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, who were studied after receiving samples from the Department of Microbiology from December 2022 to January 2023.The affected area was cleaned with 70% ethanol before sample collection, and materials were used to isolate dermatophytes from hair, nails, and skin from the lesion's active zone.Results: Out of 404 clinically suspected cases, only 205 were culture-positive for dermatophytes.The age group of 31-40 years old accounts for the bulk of patients (33.6%), followed by 21-30 years old (26.5%), and the age group of above 71 years old (0.24%).The most prevalent species was Trichophyton rubrum 112 (54.3%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes 93 (45.1%), primarily found in Tinea corporis 75 (66.9%)and Tinea cruris 25 (22.3%).Conclusion: Dermatophytes are prevalent in tropical and subtropical India, with T. corporis being the most common clinical form.T. rubrum, mentagrophyte, and M. gypseum are predominant species.Laboratory diagnosis is crucial for appropriate therapy.