Incidence and etiological agents of genital dermatophytosis in males

Abstract

Aim To determine the incidence and etiological agents of dermatophytosis of male genitalia in Sarajevo area, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during a 5-year period (2009-2013). Methods A total of 313 male patients with confirmed dermatophyte infection elsewhere in the body was analyzed. All samples (skin scrapings and hairs) were treated with lactophenol to detect a possible presence of fungal elements and then cultured on Sabouraud glucose agar. Dermatophytes species were identified based on macroscopic and microscopic morphology. Results Dermatopyte infection of penis and/or scrotum was confirmed by positive cultures in 17 (5.4%) patients, of which four had lesions on the penis alone, five had lesions on scrotum and eight patients had lesions on both penis and scrotum. Majority of patients, 12 (70.0%) belonged to the age group 21-40. Fifteen patients (88.2%) had associated foci of dermatophyte infection, but the inguinal area was most frequently affected, in 10 (66.6%) patients. Microsporum canis was the most frequent dermatophyte found on culture, in 10 (58.8%) patients. Conclusion Dermatophytosis of male genitalia is a rare entity, occurring more often in young males and the main causative species is Microsporum canis.

Keywords

• tinea
• male genitalia
• incidence
• etiology