Species distribution and epidemiological characteristics of superficial fungal infections in Southeastern Serbia

Abstract

| INTRODUC TI ONSuperficial fungal infections (SFI) are one of the most common diseases in the world with an exceptionally high prevalence in the range of 22%-25%. 1 The major causative agents of SFI with public and veterinary health relevance are the dermatophytes that infect keratinized tissue (skin, hair and nails) of humans and animals. Pathogenic species in this group are anthropophilic and zoophilic fungi belonging to three genera: Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton.Other, clinically less important, dermatophytes are geophilic and zoophilic species divided over Nannizzia, Lophophyton, Arthroderma, Ctenomyces genera and two newly introduced genera, Guarromyces and Paraphyton. 2 Summary Background: Superficial fungal infections (SFI), one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, are infections of keratin-rich structures of human body mostly caused by dermatophytes and yeasts. Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine the possible changes in the epidemiology of SFI on the territory of Southeastern Serbia and to investigate epidemiological characteristics and the influence of SFI on the patient's quality of life. Methods: From 2012 to the end of 2017, samples of 1643 patients (568 males and 1075 females, mean age 40.32 ± 22.44 years) with suspected SFI from Southeastern Serbia were examined using the standard mycological methods. The questionnaires were used to investigate epidemiological characteristics.Results: Superficial fungal infections were diagnosed in 20.5% (n = 336) of patients.In the group of dermatophytes, the most prevalent was Microsporum canis (63.9%, n = 76) followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (21.8%, n = 26). Non-albicans Candida species were dominant aetiological agents of superficial candidosis (62.3%).BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 (P = 0.019) was determined as an independent risk factor for SFI.There was a statistically significant difference in the EQVAS score between the groups of patients and the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions:Results of conducted study indicate that SFI prevalence has not changed in the previous period. However, increase of Candida-SFI prevalence, especially Candida onychomycosis, was established. K E Y W O R D SCandida spp., dermatophytes, prevalence, superficial fungal infections | 459 OTAŠEVIĆ ET Al.

Prevalence of superficial‐cutaneous fungal infections in Shiraz, Iran: A five‐year retrospective study (2015–2019)

“…According to our findings, candidiasis, with a prevalence of 40.5%, was reported as the most frequent type of SFI. In comparison to other studies, a higher rate of candidiasis in Brazil (82.9%) and in Southeastern Serbia (57%) was confirmed 7,16 …”

“…albicans . It is crucial that the prevalence of non‐ Candida albicans (NCA) species as causative agents has increased in recent years 7 . Also, sometimes dematiaceous yeasts could cause superficial mycosis 8 .…”

“…Nowadays, the prevalence of fungal causative agents that causes SFI is changing and mostly depends on the geographical, ecological, and socio‐economic conditions. Although SFI are not life‐threatening diseases, they can significantly affect the quality of a patient's life 7 . According to previous epidemiological studies, an increasing number of predisposing risk factors are associated with fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails, such as low‐level socio‐economic conditions, poor personal hygiene, artificial nails, metabolic disorders, and biological therapy 15 .…”

Epidemiology of Dermatophytoses in Switzerland According to a Survey of Dermatophytes Isolated in Lausanne between 2001 and 2018

“…and T. benhamiae (Table 2). T. mentagrophytes was more prevalent than M. canis in contrast to most reports in southern Europe, where the latter is the main zoophilic species and causative agent of tinea capitis and tinea corporis [4,[24][25][26]. The investigation of dermatophytes from animal samples showed that cats and dogs were reservoirs for T. mentagrophytes and M. canis, and Guinea pigs for T. benhamiae (Table 3).…”

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

“…According to reports, under normal circumstances, pathogenic fungi of superficial mycosis are always in a dynamic state. The pathogenic fungi could change with time and region (10,11). Northeast China has high population density, a large number of ethnic groups, a large area, distinct seasons, high forest coverage, rich species, unique geographical conditions and natural and human environment.…”