Characterizing the clinical isolates of dermatophytes in Hamadan city, Central west of Iran, using PCR-RLFP method.

OBJECTIVE

Dermatophytosis is one of the most common mycotic infections, which considered as a public health problem in the major of countries. This study evaluated the molecular epidemiology of dermatophytosis in patients referred to Farshchian hospital in Hamadan city with PCR-RFLP method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four hundred and five specimens from clinically suspected patients of dermatophytosis were collected and analyzed by direct microscopic and culture. The isolates were identified by PCR-RFLP method using the MvaI restriction enzyme.

RESULTS

Of the 405 specimens, 88 specimens were positive in direct examination and culture. Among the patients, 64.8% were males and35.2% females. Tinea pedis (31.8%) was the most common type of dermatophytosis followed by tinea corporis (22.7%), tinea cruris (20.5%), tinea capitis (10.2%), tinea manuum (5.7%), tinea faciei (4.6%) and tinea unguium (4.6%). Trichophyton interdigitale (36.4%) was the most common isolate followed by Trichophyton rubrum (27.3%), Epidermophyton floccosum (17%), Trichophyton tonsurans (11.4%), Microsporum canis (4.5%), Microsporum gypseum (2.3%) and Trichophyton benhamiae (1.1%).

CONCLUSION

Our finding showed that the anthropophilic dermatophyte species causing dermatophytosis are increasing, and molecular methods are reliable assays for accurse identification of dermatophyte species in epidemiological studies.