PREVALENCE OF DERMATOPHYTE INFECTION IN DISTRICT RAJKOT

Dermatophytosis is common in superficial fungal infection of keratinized tissues. Although common, the precise size of the problem defies measurement. To access the clinicoepidemiological profile of dermatophyte infection. To identify the species of fungus and to compare the clinical diagnosis by KOH smear and culture. Two hundred clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis were subjected to direct smear examination and isolation. Out of 200 cases, 138 (69%) were positive for fungus in direct microscopy, while 97 (48.5%) were culture positive. Young adult in age group of 21-30 years were mainly affected. Tinea corporis (41%) was the most common clinical presentation followed by Tinea cruris (24%). Trichophyton rubrum was the most common species isolated. Tinea corporis was the most common clinical presentation and T. rubrum was the predominant fungus. Male to female ratio was 2.03:1. Majority of the patients belonged to the lowincome group.