Characteristics of superficial fungal infections in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence and characteristics of superficial fungal infections (SFIs) vary with climatic conditions, lifestyle, and population migration patterns. This study was undertaken to determine the characteristics of SFIs amongst patients visiting the dermatology clinic of Riyadh Military Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the period 2003-2005.


METHODS
One hundred and nineteen patients with confirmed SFI (37 males and 82 females), aged between 5 months and 67 years, were included in this study. The diagnosis of SFI was based on clinical presentation confirmed by laboratory analysis. The type of mycotic pathogen and the site of infection were recorded as a function of age and sex.


RESULTS
Onychomycosis (40.3%) was the most frequent infection, followed by tinea capitis (21.9%), tinea pedis (16%), tinea cruris (15.1%), and tinea corporis (6.7%). Tinea capitis was most prevalent (15.1%) in children (male to female ratio, 1 : 1.57), whereas tinea pedis was most common (11.8%) in adults (male to female ratio, 1 : 2.5). Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis were the most common dermatophytes responsible for tinea infections, and T. mentagrophytes, Candida spp., and Aspergillus spp. were mainly responsible for onychomycosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of SFI was twofold greater in females than males. Children were most commonly affected by tinea capitis, whereas adults generally suffered from tinea pedis. The frequency of onychomycosis was nearly three times higher in adults. This study clearly shows that SFIs are of concern in both genders and in all age groups.
Abanmi
Abdullah
A
Department of Dermatology, Research Center, Riyadh Military Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Bakheshwain
Saadia
S
El Khizzi
Noura
N
Zouman
Abdul Rahman
AR
Hantirah
Samir
S
Al Harthi
Fahad
F
Al Jamal
Mohammad
M
Rizvi
Syeda Sadaf
SS
Ahmad
Mohammad
M
Tariq
Mohammad
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008864:Microsporum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014005:Tinea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000302:isolation & purification