Distribution and species composition of causative agents of dermatophytoses in Lithuania

The aim of the investigation was to determine diversity of the causative agents of dermatophytoses and characterize the epidemiological situation in Lithuania in 2001-2010. During this period, dermatophytes showed a tendency to decline. The following dermatophytes were isolated: Trichophyton (T.) Malamsten, Microsporum (M.) Gruby and Epidermophyton E. Lang. The number of nondermatophytes increased. At the beginning of the investigation, nondermatophytes accounted for 3.4%, whereas at the end their number grew up to 35.9%. Among the agents of dermatomycosis, the incidence of yeasts was observed to have a growing tendency. Among dermatophytes, T. rubrum was the most common pathogen, which in 2001 amounted to 55.7% and in 2010 to only 11.0%. Among the Microsporum species, M. canis and M. gypseum were detected. A small number of Epidermophyton species were observed in 2001-2003, which accounted for 0.2%-0.8% of all isolates. Tinea unguium (75.5%) was the most common type of dermatophytosis, followed by tinea capitis (11.7%), tinea corporis (9.2%) and tinea pedis (1.2%). In 2001-2010, dermatophytes showed a decreasing tendency, whereas the incidence of Candida yeasts and other causative agents of dermatomycosis greatly increased.