Abstract

CRUZ, R; CARVAJAL, L; PEREZ, S  and  RODRIGUEZ, V. Microsporum spp. isolation in patients with dermatophytosis in region of Valparaíso - Chile. Rev. argent. dermatol. [online]. 2017, vol.98, n.1, pp.27-37. ISSN 1851-300X.

Introduction: the dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum spp. are frequent infections that have been undergone through changes in the different continents during the last years. Objective: to know the species of the Microsporum genus that cause dermatophytosis, besides to analyze the differences according to sex, age and location of these infections in patients from the region of Valparaíso. Materials and Method: the reports issued by the Mycology Laboratory of the University of Valparaíso during the period 2002-2016 were reviewed. Patients who had lesions compatible with dermatophytosis, direct microscopic examination with hyphae, arthroconidia and/or microconidia, and culture with development of some species of the genus Microsporum were selected. In an excel file, the variables of age, sex, location of the lesion, direct microscopic examination and identification of the species were recorded. Results: 285 patients were included in this study, 61.4% of them were women, with a mean age of 16 years. The group of children under 8 years old present greater quantity of infections, followed by the group of 16 to 35 years old. The most frequent locations were scalp and nails. The tinea capitis was diagnosed mainly until 35 years old, after which the foot onychomycosis become predominate. The agent that was most frequently isolated was M. canis, followed by M. gypseum. Conclusions: women and children under the age of 8 years presented the most infections. Tinea capitis was the most common site especially in children, and onychomycosis was the second most frequent, mainly in adults. M. canis was the most frequent agent followed by M. gypseum.

Keywords : dermatophytosis; Microsporum.