@Article{, title={The Incidence of Dermatophytosis in Babylon Province, Iraq}, author={Oday Hussein Kadhim}, journal={Medical Journal of Babylon مجلة بابل الطبية}, volume={15}, number={3}, pages={234-237}, year={2018}, abstract={Background: Dermatophytosis is caused by dermatophytes, which attack and grow on dead animal keratin. Dermatophytes belong to threegenera, namely, Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. Objective: The objective of this study is to detect the types and thefrequencies of the dermatophytes infections in Babylon Province. Materials and Methods: In this study, 200 specimens of dermatophyticpatients are collected in Babylon Province. Collection of Specimens includes skin scrapings, hair fragments, and nail clippings. The specimenswere diagnosed by direct microscopic examination and culture. Results: One hundred and sixty‑four (83%) specimens of dermatophyteinfection were positive in culture and used in phenotypic diagnosis. Tinea corporis was the predominant infection in 83 (41.5%) patients,Trichophyton rubrum showed the highest frequency of dermatophytes isolates 29 (17.68%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes 26 (15.85%), andMicrosporum canis 24 (14.63%). Fifty‑six cases were positive in direct microscopic examination, and the invasion of hair was ectothrix type,forming masses of arthroconidia on the outside of the hair shaft in 44 (78.57%) specimens, while the invasion of hair was endothrix type,and abundant sporulation inside the hair shaft causes breakage of the hair near the surface of the scalp in 12 (22.43%) specimens (P < 0.05).The age group of 21–30 years revealed tendency for dermatophytosis of tinea corporis while the age group of 1–10 years showed tendencyfor dermatophytosis of tinea capitis. Conclusion: Tinea corporis was the predominant infection. T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, and M. canisshowed the highest frequency of dermatophyte isolates. Positive direct microscopic examination and culture isolates (phenotypic diagnosis)could be used in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis.

} }