Clinico-microbiological study of dermatophytosis in a tertiary care center and emergence of multi-drug resistant dermatophyte Trichophyton tonsurans in the sub-population of West Bengaluru, Karnataka

Abstract

Antifungal susceptibility is an effective technique in managing clinical dermatophytosis due to an upsurge in resistant dermatophytes. The intention of this research was to investigate the antifungal susceptibility profile of clinically significant dermatophytes in a tertiary care setting.A total of 330 clinical samples were isolated from patients with superficial mycoses. Macroscopic characterization was done by examining the growth period, culture topography and synthesis of pigment on the reverse. The recovered strains were identified at the species level by ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility and MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) were determined using the Ezy MIC Strips (Himedia) on eight antifungals viz, Griseofulvin, Amphotericin B, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Posaconazole, Terbinafine and Voriconazole, Out of 330 clinical isolates, 253 isolates were recovered and grown in culture, and identified by PCR sequencing. Tinea corporis was most predominant (65.15%) in the age group of 21-30 years. was the most abundant dermatophyte (47.83%), followed by30.43%) and (19.76%). Posaconazole and voriconazole exhibited highest ctivity followed by itraconazole and fluconazole. yielded highest number of antifungal-resistant isolates (89.61%), followed by (86.78%) and (76%). Posaconazole was found to be the most potent antifungal while amphotericin B was the least. emerged as an important dermatophyte with significant resistant isolates. Analysis of our data revealed distressing existence of multi-drug resistant dermatophytes in the sub-population and also a prominent shift in the prevalence from resistant to . The emergence of a less prevalent dermatophyte in India, , was witnessed in the study population.