Epidemiology and clinical features of dermatomycoses and dermatophytoses

Dermatophytosis, candidosis and pityriasis versicolor account for the majority of fungal skin diseases in Denmark and are seen in 8% of patients with dermato-venerological problems. In children, zoophilic species like Microsporum canis (from cats), Trichophyton (T) verrucosum (from cattle) and T. mentagrophytes granulare (from rodents) are the common causes of dermatophytosis and are seen in approximately 15% of all cases. Anthropophilic species are the main cause of dermatophytosis in adults and are isolated more often in males than in females. T. rubrum (48%), T. mentagrophytes interdigitale (14%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (10%) are the species usually involved. The feet are the site of infection in about 50% of the cases, toenails, glabrous skin and inguinal folds equally often in 42%, palms in 6% and the scalp in 2%. The prevalence of tinea pedis in 15-year-old school children and 20-year-old males was found to be 4% and 6%, respectively. A relative risk of 3.1 for contracting tinea pedis when being an atopic or having an atopic family was demonstrated in the former group. Pityriasis versicolor and candidosis of skin and mucosal membranes are both secondary dermatomycoses caused by endosaphrophytic yeasts. Local or systemic predisposing disorders are usually required for the development of symptoms.