The incidence of dermatophytosis in Babylon Province, Iraq

Background: Dermatophytosis is caused by dermatophytes, which attack and grow on dead animal keratin. Dermatophytes belong to three genera, namely, Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. Objective: The objective of this study is to detect the types and the frequencies of the dermatophytes infections in Babylon Province. Materials and Methods: In this study, 200 specimens of dermatophytic patients are collected in Babylon Province. Collection of Specimens includes skin scrapings, hair fragments, and nail clippings. The specimens were diagnosed by direct microscopic examination and culture. Results: One hundred and sixty-four (83%) specimens of dermatophyte infection were positive in culture and used in phenotypic diagnosis. Tinea corporis was the predominant infection in 83 (41.5%) patients, Trichophyton rubrum showed the highest frequency of dermatophytes isolates 29 (17.68%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes 26 (15.85%), and Microsporum canis 24 (14.63%). Fifty-six cases were positive in direct microscopic examination, and the invasion of hair was ectothrix type, forming masses of arthroconidia on the outside of the hair shaft in 44 (78.57%) specimens, while the invasion of hair was endothrix type, and abundant sporulation inside the hair shaft causes breakage of the hair near the surface of the scalp in 12 (22.43%) specimens (P < 0.05). The age group of 21–30 years revealed tendency for dermatophytosis of tinea corporis while the age group of 1–10 years showed tendency for dermatophytosis of tinea capitis. Conclusion: Tinea corporis was the predominant infection. T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, and M. canis showed the highest frequency of dermatophyte isolates. Positive direct microscopic examination and culture isolates (phenotypic diagnosis) could be used in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis