MYCOLOGICAL PATTERN OF DERMATOMYCOSES IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN NORTH EAST INDIA

BACKGROUND & para;& para;Dermatomycoses constitute more than 50% of cases in Dermatology outpatient department, which do not require compulsory notifications, but rather cause cosmetic defacements. Indian subcontinent is favourable for various fungal infections. The objective of this study is to identify the aetiology of fungal infections of skin, nail and hair in patients attending tertiary care centre in north east India.& para;& para;MATERIALS AND METHODS & para;& para;A total of 160 samples from clinically suspected dermatomycoses were collected. Direct microscopy in 10% KOH (potassium hydroxide) and culture on (Sabouraud's dextrose agar) SDA containing gentamicin (5 gm/L) and chloramphenicol (50 gm/L) were performed.& para;& para;RESULTS & para;& para;Out of the 160 samples, 95 cases were positive on direct KOH mount and 108 were culture positive. In 64 cases, both KOH and culture were positive. Maximum number of cases belonged to the age group of 31 - 40 years. Males were more affected compared to females. Most common isolates obtained in our study were yeasts followed by dermatophytes and non-dermatophytic moulds (NDMs). Candida albicans (25%) was the most common yeast isolated. Among the dermatophytes, Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the commonest and among the non-dermatophytic moulds (NDMs), Aspergillus niger was the most frequent.& para;& para;CONCLUSION & para;& para;Our study reflects an increasing role of yeasts as a causative agent of dermatomycoses replacing the dermatophytes.