The pattern of superficial mycotic infections in Sri Lanka
Attapattu, M.C.
Ceylon Medical Journal 25(3-4): 86-95
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-0875 PMID: 7185497 Document Number: 161711
Patients investigated during 1974-78 are discussed. Pityriasis versicolor (Malassezia furfur) was seen in 271 patients during 1978; in a survey of school children, 6% were found to be infected with M. furfur. Of the 939 patients seen during 1974-78 (263 in 1978) with dermatophytosis, 68.5% had tinea corporis, 29.1% tinea cruris, 1.2% tinea capitis and 1.2% tinea pedis; there was a high incidence of infection in the waist region, particularly in females. The fungi isolated included Trichophyton rubrum (739 isolates), T. mentagrophytes ('granular') (78), T. mentagrophytes ('interdig') [T. interdigitale] (3), Epidermophyton floccosum (69), Microsporum gypseum (46), M. canis (4), T. simii (2), T. verrucosum (3) and T. concentricum (2). Two types of candidosis were seen (185 cases in 1978), viz. intertrigenous candidosis (mainly of the groin, toe webs and infra-mammary lesions) and candidal paronychia. Candida albicans was responsible for most infections but C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis were also found. Onychomycosis (46 cases in 1978) was caused by Candida spp., dermatophytes (T. rubrum only) and 'saprophytic' fungi (Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium spp. and Scopulariopsis brevicalus). Other cases seen during the period included 12 of black piedra (Piedraia hortae).