Clinicoepidemiological Trends and Features of Epidermophyton floccosum Infections in Korea: Between Year 1998~2007 and 2008~2019

Abstract

Background: The knowledge of the clinical features and changing epidemiology of dermatophytes helps in better managing them. Objective: This study investigated the recent epidemiologic characters of Epidermophyton floccosum from January 2008 to December 2019 and attempted to compare these with previous studies. Methods: The current study included 57 patients who visited our clinic and were diagnosed with E. floccosum infection through fungal culture between January 2008 and December 2019. Data on the date of visit, gender, age at onset, and site of infection were collected through a review of medical charts and were compared with previously reported studies. Results: The frequency of isolation of E. floccosum decreased gradually, and the infections caused by E. floccosum were 33 cases of tinea cruris, 20 of tinea pedis, and 2 each of tinea corporis and tinea unguium. The male to female ratio was 10.4:1, and most infections occurred in the 10~29 year age group. Conclusion: E. floccosum infections in Korea have been decreasing rapidly since 1987. However, the clinical features of E. floccosum infections remained unchanged even at a low incidence.

Prevalence and characteristics of Epidermophyton floccosum skin infections: A 12‐year retrospective study

“…Regarding patient demographics, prior studies have typically reported a higher male‐to‐female ratio in patients with dermatophytic infections 21,22 . Earlier research focusing on E. floccosum dermatophytosis also revealed a male predominance 8,19 . However, our study demonstrated an equal distribution of male and female patients (50% each) with E. floccosum dermatophytosis.…”

“…In Korea, the prevalence of this pathogen ranged from 3.9% in 1976-1980 to 0.01% in 2018-2019. 18,19 Cruz and Carvajal documented a similar trend in Chile, with E. floccosum isolation decreasing from 1.1% in 1990 to 0.2% in 2010. 8 In Italy, the frequency of E. floccosum dermatophytosis drastically decreased from 38.8% in 1980-1984 to 4.5% in 2005-2010.…”

“…8,19 However, our study demonstrated an equal distribution of male and female patients (50% each) with E. floccosum dermatophytosis. This unexpected balance in sex distribution might be explained by the existence of a spe-…”

“…21,22 Earlier research focusing on E. floccosum dermatophytosis also revealed a male predominance. 19 Our research has certain limitations. Only culture-positive patients with superficial dermatophytosis were included, thus negating the inclusion of patients who lacked fungal culture testing or whose fungal cultures were negative.…”

“…This pattern aligns with recent Korean research, where tinea cruris dominated E. floccosum infections at 57.6%, followed by tinea pedis (35.1%), tinea corporis (3.5%) and tinea unguium (3.5%). 19 Notably, the Korean study reported no instances of tinea faciei or tinea capitis caused by E.…”