Superficial Mycoses in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Between June 1988 and December 1990, 1018 cases of superficial mycoses were investigated. Diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic examination in 503 cases and the causal agent was isolated in 490 cases. Tinea capitis accounted for 47.7% (92.5% in children below 10 years of age). The frequency of other clinical types in descending order was pityriasis versicolor 25.8%, tinea corporis 9%, onychomycosis 5.8%, tinea pedis 4%, intertrigo 3.9% and tinea cruris 2.8%. Erythrasma was encountered three times and mixed piedra and trichomycosis axillaris once. Microsporum canis was the commonest aetiological agent, responsible for 46.9% of ringworm infections. Malassezia furfur was the next most common agent (26.5%) followed by Candida albicans (8.6%) and Trichophyton violaceum (8.2%). Other species were found less frequently. T.simii was isolated from four cases of tinea cruris and one each of tinea capitis and tinea corporis, and Piedraia hortae and Trichosporon beigelii from a case of mixed piedra infection.

Dermatophytes and Other Fungi Associated with Skin Mycoses in Tripoli, Libya

“…rubrum is the most common cause of tinea pedis worldwide, 3,6 and was shown to be so in Libya. Environmental studies showed that this fungus is the main and most commonly isolated pathogen from Tripoli beaches.…”

“…A similar result was recorded in Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. 3,4 Cutaneous candidiosis was found to be an important agent, particularly among females, involving the chest, hands and buttocks. Our earlier study on fungal infection of the fingernails (Ellabib and Khalifa, submitted for publication) shows that the prevalence of yeast, C. albicans and C. parapsilosis was higher than dermatophytes as a cause of onychomycosis.…”

“…This finding concurred with other studies which found that cutaneous candidiosis may be as common as dermatophytes, particularly in females. [3][4][5]15 This may be due to the fact that females usually harbor C. albicans vaginally or C. parapsilosis on glabrous skin. 16 …”

“…2 Tinea capitis and tinea corporis are most frequently seen in children, while tinea unguium, tinea pedis and tinea versicolor are more common in adults. 3 Many epidemiological studies have investigated the prevalence of fungi-causing superficial mycoses in different parts of the world. [4][5][6] However, the real prevalence and incidence of fungal diseases and their most common etiologic agents among Libyan nationals is essentially unknown, with the exception of a few older published studies.…”

Utilization of essential oil as natural antifungal against nail‐infective fungi

“…1 -3 The role of yeast, especially Candida spp., as a cause of onychomycosis is well established. 4 The concept of onychomycosis caused by non-dermatophytic moulds has remained controversial. Until recently the non-dermatophytic mould was recognized as Scytalidium dimidiatum.…”