Clinico-mycological Profile of Superficial Mycosis in a Hospital in North-East India.

A clinico-mycological study of superficial mycoses was conducted on 121 cases (98 males and 23 females). Direct microscopy by KOH mount and culture was undertaken to isolate the fungal pathogen in each case. The commonest age group involved was 21-30 years (39.6%). Dermatophytosis was the commonest clinical presentation (70.5%), followed by candidiasis (20.5%) and Pityriasis versicolor (9.0%). The commonest dermatophytosis was Tinea pedis (29.2%), followed by T cruris (26.2%). The commonest dermatophyte isolated was Trichophyton tonsurans (20.5%), followed by T rubrum (8.7%). Cultures grew a high proportion of non dermatophyte moulds (34%), of which Cladosporium spp (37.1%) was the commonest mould isolated. Total KOH positivity rate was 53.3% and total culture positivity rate was 79.1%. Our study revealed a variant local dermatophyte flora, a clinical pattern typical to our work environment in the Defence Services and a high isolation of yeasts and NDM.