Superficial mycoses in the Nis region, Southeast-Serbia

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The aim of the study is to investigate the most frequent cause of superficial mycoses in patients from the territory of city Niš Southeast Serbia in the period from 1998 to 2010. A total of 3223 samples from 2887 patients with suspected dermatomycoses were examined. Superficial mycoses were diagnosed using standard microbiology techniques (conventional microscopy and cultivation). Dermatophytes were determined on the basis of their macroscopic and microscopic morphological and morphometric characteristics. Morphometric characteristics were obtained by Laboratory Universal Computer Image Analysis system (Lucia M, 1996). Species of genus Candida were identified using the test of production of germ tube in sera, by growth on comertial chromatogen medium (Chromotogenic Candida, Liofichem/Bacteriology products, Italy) and by using Auxacolor TMBioRad, France. The results were elaborated with the statistical method of descriptive and quantitative analysis (SPSS 14.0 for Windows 2003). The prevalence of superficial mycoses was 25,1%. Dermatophytes were identified in 67.6% of all positive cultures. Microsporum canis was the most prevalent (50.3%) dermatophyte isolated, followed by Trichophyton metagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (35.4%). Yeast genus Candida has become a more frequent cause of superficial fungal infection since 2001. and C. albicans was the dominant yeast (61.1%).</jats:p>

Non-culture based assays for the detection of fungal pathogens

“…As opposed to IFI, superficial fungal infections (SFI) of the keratin rich structures are rare systemic and serious. These infections are caused commonly by dermatophytes, yeasts or non-dermatophytic molds and represent one of the dominant infections worldwide with global prevalence ranges from 22-25% [6,7]. The lack of rapid diagnostic methods for SFI consequently influence that only 3% of physicians in general practice and 40% dermatologists require mycological analyses before prescription of empiric treatment with systemic antifungals [8].…”