Characterization of clinically important dermatophytes in North of Iran using PCR-RFLP on ITS region

Dermatophytosis is considered as one of the major public health problems in the world. Accurate identification of the dermatophytes species is important for recognition of the environment and animal sources of infection. In this survey, 1500 clinical specimens taken from outpatients suspected of dermatophytosis and they were examined by direct microscopy and culture.

In total, three hundred and twelve dermatophytes were isolates recovered in culture, they were identified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method based on the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions.

Tinea pedis was the most common clinical form (32.1%) followed by tinea cruris (24.4%), tinea manuum (16.4%), tinea unguium (8.3%), tinea corporis (7.3%), tinea faciei (6.4%), and tinea capitis (5.1%). Trichophyton interdigitale was the most frequent isolate (38.2%), followed by Trichophyton rubrum (29.8%), Epidermophyton floccosum (16.6%), Trichophyton tonsurans (14.8%) and Microsporum canis (0.6%). The frequency of dermatophytosis was higher in males than in females and in the age-group of 21-30 years.

Our finding indicated that the incidence of dermatophytosis caused by anthropophilic dermatophytes in Mazandaran province is increasing. Also, this study provides valuable data for the prevention and control of dermatophytosis in the southern coast of the Caspian Sea.