Mycoses in northeastern Brazil: epidemiology and prevalence of fungal species in 8 years of retrospective analysis in Alagoas

Abstract

Superficial and cutaneous mycoses are common in tropical countries, caused by dermatophytes, yeast, and non-dermatophyte molds in different clinical specimens. In order to define the epidemiology of mycoses and the profile of their etiological agents in Alagoas (northeastern Brazil) between 2009 and 2016, we obtained data of patients from the main laboratories of Alagoas, by examining clinical samples with direct microscopy and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar and Chromagar ® Candida. A total of 3316 patients were confirmed with mycoses (595 men/2716 women) and 40.25 of average age. Positive samples totaled 3776, mainly vaginal secretion (1593/42.2%), toenails (876/23.2%), and fingernails (589/15.6%). Yeasts were the most isolated (3129/82.9%), including 3012 Candida spp. (79.8%), 57 Malassezia spp. (1.5%), 42 Trichosporon sp. (1.1%), 10 Geotrichum spp. (0.3%), and 8 Rhodotorula spp. (0.2%). Candida albicans was the most frequent species (715/18.9%), followed by C. krusei (194/5.1%), C. tropicalis (24/0.6%), and 2079 unspecified species (55.1%). Among 17.1% filamentous fungi, 14.8% dermatophytes were distributed as 211 Trichophyton sp. (5.6%), 125 T. rubrum (3.3%), 106 T. tonsurans (2.8%), 72 T. mentagrophytes (1.9%), 2 Microsporum sp. (0.1%), 15 M. canis (0.4%), and 26 Epidermophyton sp. (0.7%). Other fungi represented the minority: Fusarium sp. and Aspergillus sp. These are the first clinical data on the Alagoas population affected by fungi pathogens, confirming a higher incidence of candidiasis (mainly vulvovaginal and onychomycosis) and dermatophytes, providing a better understanding of different mycoses in northeastern Brazil.

Analysis on the pathogenic fungi in patients with superficial mycosis in the Northeastern China during 10 years

“…The results were different from the previous research results in Jilin ( 17 ). However, Trichophyton rubrum is still the first pathogen species, and most studies in China and worldwide also show that Trichophyton rubrum is the primary pathogen of superficial mycosis ( 18-21 ). The difference is that in northern China, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis are often the second and third pathogenic fungi, while in southern China, Candida is often the second pathogenic fungi ( 22 ).…”

Epidemiology and Diagnostic Perspectives of Dermatophytoses

“…In Brazil, epidemiological data show a higher incidence of infections caused by T. rubrum in the southern and southeastern regions, followed by M. canis and T. mentagrophytes . On the other hand, a higher prevalence of T. tonsurans , T. rubrum, and M. canis is observed in the northeastern region [ 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Candida parapsilosis as a Causative Agent of Onychomycosis in Patient with Cirrhosis of the Liver

“…The spectrum of yeast causing onychomycosis of the feet and hands includes more than nine species of the genus Candida spp., Trichosporon spp., Malassezia spp. and other genera [ 3 ]. Over the years, members of the genus Candida considered saprophytic commensals occur most commonly on the skin and mucous membranes of humans.…”