Background. Dermatophytosis is common worldwide and continues to increase. Objective. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of dermatophytosis and the spectrum of ringworm fungi in patients attending a tertiary hospital. Methods. Samples were collected from 305 patients. A portion of each sample was examined microscopically and the remaining portion of each sample was cultured onto plates of Sabouraud's dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol with and without cycloheximide. Dermatophyte isolates were identified by studying macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of their colonies. Result. Of 305 samples, fungi were detected in 166 (54.4%) by KOH of which 95 were dermatophytes while 242 (79.4%) samples were culture positive of which 130 isolates were dermatophytes. Among dermatophyte isolates T. violaceum was the most common (37.7%) cause of infection. Tinea unguium was the predominant clinical manifestation accounting for 51.1% of the cases. Patients with age group 25–44 and 45–64 years were more affected. T. violaceum was the most common pathogen in tinea unguium and tinea capitis, whereas T. mentagrophytes was the most common pathogen in tinea pedis. Conclusion. Further intensive epidemiological studies of ring worm fungus induced dermatophytosis which have public health significance are needed.

Fungal infections of hair, nail and skin are common worldwide and continue to increase. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of dermatophytosis, isolation rates and the profile of fungi associated with dermatophytosis. Samples were collected from 305 patients and a portion of each sample was examined microscopically and the remaining portion was cultured on to plates of Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar containing chloramphinical with and without cychloheximide. Fungal cultures were identified by studying macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of their colonies. Of 305 clinical samples, fungi were detected in 265 (86.9%) samples by KOH and 224 (73.4%) clinical samples were culture positive. Dermatophytes were the most common isolates accounting 130 (58.0%) of the total isolates and this was followed by non-dermatophyte molds and yeasts that accounted 49 (21.9 %.) and 45 (20.0%) respectively. T. violaceum was the dominant species accounting for 49 (37.7%) dermatophyte isolates. Candida albicans was the dominant species accounting 30 (66.7%) of the total yeast isolates. The genus Aspergillus was the most common non-dermatophyte molds consisting of 13 (26.5%) species. Tinea unguium was the predominant clinical manifestation accounting 51.1% of the cases of which 119 (76.3%) were from females and 37 (23.7%) from males. T. violaceum was the most common pathogen in tinea unguium and tinea capitis, whereas T. mentagrophytes was the most common pathogen in tinea pedis and tinea manum. Seventy five percent of yeasts and 77.6% non dermatophyte molds were isolated from nails. Along with dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte fungi are also emerging as important causes of dermatophytosis. Both direct microscopy and culture are important tools for diagnosis of the fungal infections.