Increasing Prevalence of Trichophyton rubrum Identified through an Analysis of 115,846 Cases over the Last 37 Years.
Trichophyton rubrum is the most common dermatophyte in the world with the highest prevalence in Korea. There are few reports about epidemiological and mycological characteristics of T. rubrum based on long-term, large-scale studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of T. rubrum infections in Korea. We retrospectively investigated with patients' records about the epidemiological and mycological status of 115,846 cases with T. rubrum infection that was mycologically diagnosed at Catholic Skin Disease Clinic from 1979 to 2013. Direct microscopy in 15% KOH solution and culture was done in each case. The annual incidence of patients with T. rubrum infection had been increasing during the period; and of 131,122 patients with dermatophytosis, 115,846 patients (88.35%) had T. rubrum infection. Disease was most prevalent among patients in their twenties in the 1970s and 1980s; in their thirties in the 1990s; in their forties in the 2000s; and in their fifties in the 2010s. The sex ratio was 1.5:1. T. rubrum infection was most commonly seen in summer and was found predominantly in patients living in urban areas. Toe webs were most frequently involved, followed by toenails and groin. This epidemiologic findings provide useful information for prevention of T. rubrum infection and future dermatophytosis prospects.
Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Weon Ju
0000-0001-5708-1305
WJ
Lee
Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Sang Lim
0000-0003-4144-2772
SL
Kim
Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Yong Hyun
0000-0003-1706-007X
YH
Jang
Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Seok-Jong
0000-0002-6131-632X
SJ
Lee
Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Do Won
0000-0001-6632-1374
DW
Kim
Institute of Medical Mycology, Catholic Skin Clinic, Daegu, Korea.
Yong Jun
0000-0001-7242-9306
YJ
Bang
Institute of Medical Mycology, Catholic Skin Clinic, Daegu, Korea.
Jae Bok
0000-0003-4834-4526
JB
Jun
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D014005:Tinea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014505:Urban Population
Dermatophytosis; Epidemiology; Incidence; Mycology; Trichophyton rubrum