A study of 200 cases of pityriasis versicolor: the distribution of age, gender, blood group, lesion morphology, hemoglobin levels, cholesterol levels and diabetic status

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONPityriasis versicolor is the most important and most common Malassezia-associated superficial skin infection.1 It is particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions like India. It is an opportunistic pathogen which infects skin when its commensal round yeast form transforms to the pathologic mycelial form. This transformation occurs due to a shift in the relationship between the human skin and resident yeast flora. 2In lesional skin the most common species are M. globosa, M. restricta, M. furfur and M. sympodialis. 3,4 A study has found it to be the second most common superficial fungal infection with 25.2% of the 9335 subject with superficial fungal infections presenting with pityriasis versicolor. 5 Of the total cases of pityriasis versicolor 31% were seen to involve the pediatric age group of children below 14 years of age.6 However no clear data on the prevalence, incidence and its burden worldwide is available.The study describes the distribution of age, gender, blood group, lesion morphology, hemoglobin levels, cholesterol levels and diabetic status across 200 cases of pityriasis versicolor. ABSTRACTBackground: Pityriasis versicolor is a Malassezia-associated opportunistic skin infection prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions like India. This study describes the distribution of age, gender, blood group, lesion morphology, hemoglobin levels, cholesterol levels and diabetic status in pityriasis versicolor subjects. Methods: 200 subjects confirmed to have pityriasis versicolor by KOH mounts were assessed and the results tabulated. Results: Subjects in the 2 nd and 3 rd decade of life were most commonly infected with cases also showing a female preponderance. Most subjects with pityriasis versicolor were found to be Rh positive. Achromic lesions were most common, and anaemia was common among the pityriasis versicolor positive subjects. Diabetes and hypercholesterolemia weren't particularly common in subjects with pityriasis versicolor. Conclusions: The study elucidates the behaviour of tinea versicolor in a clinical setting by describing its basic demographic data, clinical presentation, and association with some common co-morbidities relevant to an Indian clinical setting.

A Single Centre Demographic and Clinico-epidemiological Profile of Pityriasis Versicolor in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The similar observation was reported among the participants in the 2 nd and 3 rd decade of life. 15,29 Sharma et al 8 and Badri et al 30 had also reported similar findings in their studies. The probable causes of higher incidence of PV among 21-30 years age group may be increased sebum production and a high level of physical activity leading to excess sweating which provide a favourable environment for the proliferation of lipophilic yeast to cause PV.…”