Abstract

In order to determine the extent and causative agent of ringworm infections in Jaipur area, a study was done in outdoor patient Department of Skin, SMS Hospital, Jaipur. Out of 196 diagnosed cases, 148 were found to be positive by KOH examination while culture positive cases were 160. Trichophyton rubrum was the most common etiological type reported from 53 cases followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (23 cases). Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton ferrugineum, Trichophyton concentricum, Trichophyton megninii, Microsporum canis, Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum fulvum were reported for the first time in Jaipur. Scopulariopsis sp., Paceilomyces sp. and Curvularia sp. were also reported for the first time from human skin in Jaipur. Tinea corporis was the most common clinical type reported from all age groups. Tinea cruris was the second most common clinical type, followed by tinea capitis, tinea manuum, tinea unguium, etc. These infections were observed more frequently in the age group of 21-30 (26 %), followed by 31-40 (18.8%) and 11-20 (16.3%).  Males (75.5%) were more infected than females (24.5%).

Key words: Dermatophytoses, ring worm, tinea infection, Trichophyton, Microsporum.