Comparison of two conventional methods for identification of dermatophyte fungi

• Published in: Ibn Al-Haitham Journal for Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 21 - 30
• Main Authors: al-Zubaydi, Tibah Salim Nasif, Muhammad, Abd al-Amir Jasim, al-Jabburi, Ali Abbas Hasan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Baghdad, Iraq University of Baghdad, College of Education for Pure Science / Ibn al-Haitham 12-09-2018; University of Baghdad
• Subjects: Dermatophytosis, Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar, Dermatophyte Test Media
• ISSN: 1609-4042; 2521-3407
• DOI: 10.30526/31.2.1958

The current study is the identification and isolation dermatophyte species in clinical
isolates by both Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar (SDA) and on Dermatophyte Test Medium
(DTM). Clinical specimens of hair, nails and skin scales were collected from patients with
dermatophytosis and submitted to direct microscopic examination after immersion in 20% of
potassium hydroxide solution. The clinical specimens were cultured on SDA containing
chloramphenicol and cycloheximide, and on DTM. Tinea corporis showed the highest
prevalent dermatophyte infection among patients (26.7%), followed by Tinea pedis (23.3%),
whereas Tinea manuum exhibited the lowest fungal infection (6.7 %). Rural areas revealed
the highest prevalence of dermatophyte infection (70.0 %) in comparison to 30.0% in urban
areas. Based on the conventional laboratory methods, 30 clinical isolates of dermatophytes
showed positive cultures which belong to three genera (Trichophyton, Microsporum and
Epidermophyton). Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the most common species (21.7%)
isolated among 30 positive dermatophytes, followed by Epidermophyton flocosum (17.4%),
then Trichophyton bullosum and Trichophyton tonsurans (13.0%)