SPECTRUM OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS IN THE ELDERLY AGE GROUP

INTRODUCTION: Fungal infections have become a common problem in the elderly age group. As age advances, the skin becomes dry, thin, wrinkled and with less number of hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands therefore, making it more susceptible to opportunistic pathogens. Superficial mycosis account for nearly 25% of the global burden of skin mycoses. The aim of this study is to identify the various superficial mycosis occurring in the elderly age group > 60 years attending a tertiary care hospital in North India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, observational study conducted on 540 patients over the age of 60 years attending the Dermatology OPD at a tertiary care centre. Patients on antifungal agents were excluded from the study. Samples collected included skin and nail scrapings, nail clippings and hair along. The collected samples were divided into two parts one for culture and other for direct microscopy. Direct microscopy of the specimens was performed in 10% potassium hydroxide + 40% Di-methyl sulfoxide. Culture media used included Sabouraud’s dextrose agar (SDA) and Sabouraud’s dextrose agar containing Cycloheximide (0.5 mg/ml ). Cultures were incubated at both 25ºC and 37ºC for four weeks. Further species identification was done by Microslide culture technique.  RESULTS: The M:F ratio was 1.36:1. Onychomycosis accounted for the majority of superficial mycosis (25%) followed by Tinea mannum (14.65%) and Tinea pedis (15.51%). The most common dermatophyte isolate was Trichophyton rubrum (27.58%), followed by T.mentagrophytes (22.41%) and T.verrucosum (17.24%). KEY WORDS: Dermatophytes, Superficial Mycosis, Elderly age group, Slide culture