Etiological agents of superficial mycoses in Kayseri, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of agents that cause superficial mycoses and clinical types of superficial mycoses in terms of age and gender in our region were aimed.

METHODS

Five hundred samples of nails, skin and skin with hair taken from 476 children and adult patients pre-diagnosed with superficial mycoses were examined by direct microscopy and cultural methods between October 2009 and October 2010.

RESULTS

Fungal elements were determined in 212 (42.4%) of the samples by using direct microscopy. Fungal growth was detected in 111 (22.2%) cultures of the same samples. It was found that the most common agents in superficial mycoses were Trichophyton rubrum (43.7%), Candida spp. (28%) and less often, Aspergillus spp., Malassezia spp., Saccharomyces spp., Rhodotorula spp., Trichosporon spp. and Trichophyton verrucosum.

CONCLUSION

The significance of diagnosis by using direct microscopy and culturing together was again shown for the diagnosis of superficial fungal infections that follow a chronic course and affect the quality of life of patients. The most common agents in the superficial mycoses were T. rubrum. With this study, defining the aetiological agents of superficial mycoses in the Kayseri region is expected to contribute to the literature in terms of epidemiological data.