[Etiologic and epidemiologic study of dermatomycoses in Navarra (Spain)]

We review the etiology of the dermatophytosis in Navarra (Spain) over a 5-year period and it is compared with previous studies. We have isolated 312 strains of dermatophyte fungi in 285 patients (188 men and 97 women). Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated species (58.6%) followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (26.2%) and Microsporum canis (10.5%). Concerning the location of the lesions, tinea pedis was the clinical pattern found in the greatest number of patients, followed by tinea corporis, tinea unguium and tinea capitis. Twenty eight percent of the isolations were accomplished in October and November. More than half of those patients questioned had had epidemiological contact with animals or practiced sports. The rise of tinea pedis in our region is emphasised. The possible causes of this increment are analyzed and some recommendations for its control are made.