Analysis of 1 008 cases of superficial fungal infections of the skin and their pathogens

Abstract

Objective The species and distribution characteristics of superficial fungal infections of the skin and pathogens in our hospital were analyzed. Methods Skin samples were collected from 1 008 outpatients with suspected fungal infections at our clinic from July 2021 to July 2022. The microscopically positive specimens were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar(SDA) plate or potato Dextrose Agar(PDA) plate for fungal identification. Saccharomyces were further identified by Chromagar. VITEK ATB microbial identification system was used to identify those that could not be directly identified with conventional cultures. We analyzed the results of microscopic examination or culture positive. Results The top three diseases of 1 008 superficial fungal infections were onychomycosis (244 cases, 24.21%), pityriasis punctata (184 cases, 18.25%) and tinea pedis (182 cases,18.06%). The top three pathogenic fungi were Trichophyton rubrum (307 strains, 30.46%), Malassezia (255 strains, 25.30%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (187 strains,18.15%). Onychomycosis was more common in females than in males(χ2=8.02, P<0.001), while tinea cruris was common in males than in females ((χ2=29.12, P<0.001)). There were no significant differences in the composition of fungal strains between genders. Conclusions Onychomycosis, pityriasis versicolor and tinea pedis, which are mainly caused by trichophyton rubrum, Malassezia and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, respectively, are the common superficial fungal infections in our dermatology clinic. Attention should be paid to these infections in the clinical treatment.

Keywords

• superficial mycosis
• fungal infection
• pathogenic fungi
• onychomycosis
• pityriasis punctata
• tinea pedis