Superficial Fungal Skin Infections in Patients Attending Zliten Teaching Hospital (North West of Libya)

Aims: This study was carried out to know the frequency of occurrence of different clinical types of dermatophytosis and Pityriasis versicolor and its distribution among different age groups and sexes and also, in particular groups of patients, who attended dermatology clinic of Zliten Teaching Hospital in Zliten (North west of Libya).

Study Design: A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the data to find out the distribution pattern of different clinical types of Superficial fungal infection (SFI) in relation to age and sex.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out for a period of 9 Months, between October 2014 and June 2015. All patients with various skin complaints (3303) were examined for the presence of SFI at outpatient Department of Zliten Teaching Hospital in Zliten, Libya.

Methodology: Wood’s lamp examination was performed on patients with suspected SFI. Also, skin scrapings; nail clippings and infected hair samples were examined for fungal elements in 20% KOH mount under high power of microscope. A definitive diagnosis was based on the cultural characteristics, Lacto phenol cotton blue (LPCB) preparation of the fungal growth and some biochemical tests.

Results: A total of 161(4.9%) of 3303 patients were found to be suffering from SFI. The majority of these patients 37(22.9%) were of less than 7 years of age, followed by age group from 21-27 years 24(14.9%). Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. The most frequent clinical pattern was, Tinea capitis in 41 patients (represented 25.5%), followed by Tinea pedis in 36 patients (22.4%), Tinea corporis in 35 patients (21.7%) and Pityriasis versicolor in 30 patients (18.6%).

Conclusion: The majority of patients, 113(70.2%) were in the younger age groups (less than 35 years old). Tinea capitis was the most frequent superficial fungal infection under 14 years of age, and Pityriasis versicolor was the most frequent fungal infection in the age group 13-20 years.