Background: Identification of the determatophytosis species and superficial mycosis agents may be useful in directing the survey for environmental and animal sources of infection to educate the danger of acquiring infections from infected persons and other animals. Based on this background the identification of cutaneous mycosis distribution was the main purpose.
Methods: From March 2005 to Feb 2009 we examined 5500 patients suspected to superficial and cutaneous mycosis referred to medical mycology labs in Tehran, Iran for Medical Mycology examination. Skin, hair and nail sampling were taken by scraping from patients and collected for diagnosis. Diagnosis was confirmed by direct microscopy and culture according to the mycology routine laboratory methods.
Results: A total of 2271 cases (41.3%) suffered from superficial and cutaneous mycosis. The most common infections were dermatophytosis 1279 cases (56.31%), Tinea Versicolor 356 cases (15.47%), Erythersma 283 cases (12.46%), cutaneous candidiosis 243 cases (10.7%) and sacrophytic cutaneous mycosis 110 cases (4.83%). Tichophyton mentagrophytes was the most common etiological agent with 198 cases (41.56%). The most common clinical type of cutaneous candidiasis was onychomycosis and Candida albicans was the most common etiological agent. The common sites of involvement of tinea versicolor were neck and trunk and Malassezia globosa was most common etiologic agent.
Conclusion: This study highlights a common problem (Antropophilic species) in Tehran and suggests that further measures regarding public health and especially personal hygiene should be undertaken to reduce the risk of superficial and cutaneous mycoses.