Epidemiological and etiological study of foot mycosis in Tunisia

Abstract

Background: Tinea pedis and onychomycosis are among the commonest fungal diseases in the world. Recently, there has been an increase in the numbers of fungal agents implicated in these conditions.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiology of fungal foot diseases and to identify associated etiological factors in outpatients attending the Department of Dermatology of Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia.

Patients and methods: One hundred and forty eight patients were assessed for the presence of fungal foot diseases during the period between January and April 2009. The mean age was 41.5 years (range: 2-87 years) and sex ratio was 0.8. A complete dermatological examination was performed on all subjects, and specimens of the feet were taken from patients presenting signs of tinea pedis or onychomycosis for microscopy and fungal culture.

Results: Fungal foot infection was suspected in 71 subjects, and the diagnosis was confirmed in 67 cases (45.3%) by positive microscopy or culture. Older age and family history of mycosis were predisposing factors for foot fungal infection. The condition was caused by dermatophytes in 57.1% of cases and Candida species in 35.7%. Trichophyton rubrum and Candida parapsilosis were the predominant dermatophyte and yeast species, respectively.