Epidemiology of dermatophytosis in northeastern Iran; A subtropical region

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Dermatophytes as the causative agents of dermatophytosis
(ringworm) are widely spread around the world. Accurate identification of
dermatophytes in one area can be particularly important for epidemiological studies.
Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to describe the species spectrum of
dermatophytes, isolated from patients in Mashhad city, Iran, using the molecular-based
method.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 79 dermatophyte isolates
obtained from the human skin, hair, and nail specimens. Species identification was
performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism
analysis of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer regions using MvaI restriction
enzyme.
Results: The identified species included Trichophyton mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale
species complex (n=37, 46.8%), Epidermophyton floccosum (n=12, 15.2%), T. rubrum
(n=8, 10.1%), Microsporum canis (n=8, 10.1%), T. violaceum (n=5, 6.3%), T. tonsurans
(n=4, 5.1%), Nannizzia gypsea (n=3, 3.8%), T. benhamiae (n=1, 1.3%), and T.
verrucosum (n=1, 1.3%). The clinical forms of infection were tinea corporis (n=26,
32.8%), tinea cruris (n=22, 27.8%), tinea capitis (n=10, 12.6%), tinea unguium (n=7,
9%), tinea manuum (n=6, 8%), tinea pedis (n=5, 6.3%), and tinea faciei (n=3, 3.5%).
Conclusion: As the findings indicated, T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale species
complex had the highest prevalence, and T. benhamiae appeared to be a new emerging
agent of dermatophytosis in Mashhad, northeastern Iran.