title: Characteristics of superficial fungal infections in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Research Center, Riyadh Military Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abanmi
authors.forename: Saadia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bakheshwain
authors.forename: Noura
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: El Khizzi
authors.forename: Abdul Rahman
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Zouman
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hantirah
authors.forename: Fahad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al Harthi
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Jamal
authors.forename: Syeda Sadaf
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rizvi
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tariq
mesh_terms: 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