Epidemiology of dermatomycoses in Kerman province, southeast of Iran: A 10-years retrospective study (2004-2014)

- Prevalence and causative agents of SCFIs were studied over a period of 10 years in Kerman Province, southeast Iran.
- Identified SCFIs included yeast infections, dermatophytosis, saprophyte onychomycosis, erythrasma, and otomycosis.
- The highest prevalence of SCFIs was found among the 41-50-year and 31-40-year-age groups.
- Tinea unguium was the most common clinical pattern of dermatomycoses, and T. mentagrophytes was the predominant agent.
- Aspergillus spp. were the most common NDMs agents of onychomycosis and otomycosis.

ObjectivesSuperficial and cutaneous fungal infections (SCFIs) are an important public health problem and are common in tropical and subtropical countries. Pityriasis versicolor, dermatophytosis, erythrasma, onychomycosis, and otomycosis are the major diseases associated with SCFIs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and causative agents of dermatomycoses over a period of 10 years in Kerman province, southeast of Iran.MethodsA number of 1782 subjects, including 1096 females and 686 males, with cutaneous disorders in their skin, nail, and hair suspected to have SCFIs participated in this study. The collected specimens were examined using direct microscopy examination, staining, culture on specific media and PCR-RFLP technique.ResultsIn total, 617 (34.62%) subjects had SCFIs, of whom 290 (47%) were female and 327 (53%) were male. Identified SCFIs included yeast infections, dermatophytosis, saprophyte onychomycosis, erythrasma, and otomycosis due to non-dermatophytic molds (NDMs). The highest prevalence of dermatomycoses was found among the 41-50-year and 31-40-year age groups. Tinea unguium was the most common clinical pattern of dermatomycoses, and T. mentagrophytes was the predominant agent. Also, Aspergillus spp. were the most common NDMs agents of onychomycosis and otomycosis.ConclusionsThis study summarized the epidemiological trends and etiologic agents of SCFIs in a 10-year period in Kerman, southeast of Iran. Consideration of the current epidemiologic trends in the prevalence and knowledge of the exact causative agents of SCFIs may play an important key role towards further investigations, diagnosis, and modification of current treatments.