Isolation and Identification of Dermatophyte Fungi in Darussalam District, Aceh Besar
Abstract
Dermatophytosis has been recognized as one of the most common superficial fungal infections, often found in tropical areas with high humidity and high population density. This observational descriptive study aims to isolate and identify dermatophyte species in dermatophytosis cases in Darussalam District, Aceh Besar. A total of 50 clinical samples were examined using the 20% KOH method as well as inoculation for culture in both Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Dermatophyte Test Medium (DTM). The results showed 35 positive samples on the KOH examination. A positive culture in SDA identified Trichophyton tonsurans in 35 samples (70%) and Trichophyton violaceum in 3 samples (6%). Similar to SDA, DTM identified Trichophyton tonsurans as the most common isolate, which was found in 36 samples (72%), followed by Trichophyton violaceum in 3 samples (6%), and Epidermophyton floccosum in 1 sample (2%). These findings demonstrate the predominance of T. tonsurans as the primary cause of dermatophytosis, consistent with its anthropophilic properties that facilitate human-to-human transmission. The identification of dermatophyte species through culture plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and control of diseases.
References
Kruithoff C, Gamal A, McCormick TS, Ghannoum MA. Dermatophyte Infections Worldwide: Increase in Incidence and Associated Antifungal Resistance. Life. 2023;14(1):1. doi:10.3390/life14010001
Chanyachailert P, Leeyaphan C, Bunyaratavej S. Cutaneous Fungal Infections Caused by Dermatophytes and Non-Dermatophytes: An Updated Comprehensive Review of Epidemiology, Clinical Presentations, and Diagnostic Testing. J Fungi. 2023;9(6):669. doi:10.3390/jof9060669
Alshehri BA, Alamri AM, Rabaan AA, Al-Tawfiq JA. Epidemiology of Dermatophytes Isolated from Clinical Samples in a Hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia: A 20-Year Survey. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2021;11(4):405-412. doi:10.1007/s44197-021-
-5
Petrucelli MF, Abreu MHD, Cantelli BAM, et al. Epidemiology and Diagnostic Perspectives of Dermatophytoses. J Fungi. 2020;6(4):310. doi:10.3390/jof6040310
Kusmarinah Bramono. Chronic Recurrent Dermatophytosis in the Tropics: Studies on Tinea Imbricata in Indonesia. Korean J Med Mycol. 2012;17(1):1-7. doi:10.17966/kjmm.2012.17.1.1
Maryanti E, Inayah, Enny Lestari, Ade Wirdayanto, Namira SN, Robiatul Adawiyah. The Incidence and Characteristics of Dermatophytosis in Boarding School Students in Bandar Sei-Kijang, Pelalawan, Riau Province, Indonesia. Berk Ilmu Kesehat Kulit Dan Kelamin. 2024;36(2):131-135. doi:10.20473/bikk.V36.2.2024.131-135
Geethalakshmi V, Jasmine K, John AP, Prathap P. Effectiveness of Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar and Dermatophyte Test Medium in Detection of
Candidiasis and Dermatophytosis in Superficial Skin Lesion. J Clin Diagn Res. Published online 2021. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2021/49630.15252
Monwar S, Hossain MA, Boby F, Begum H, Begum N. Diagnosis of Dermatophytosis by Conventional Methods and Comparatative analysis of Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Dermatophyte Test Medium for Isolation of Dermatophytes. Mymensingh Med J MMJ. 2017;26(2):293-299.
Savinov VA, Ovchinnikov RS, Gaynullina AG, Khabarova AV, Kapustin AV. Selection of nutritive compounds to improve growth and indicative properties of the DTM-Expert medium for dermatophytic fungi. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2021;839(2):022058. doi:10.1088/1755-
/839/2/022058
Ahmad DrMR, Javed DrI, Mushtaq DrS, Hafeez DrR, Cheema DrKH. Evaluation of Dermatophyte Test Medium and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar for Isolation of Dermatophyte Species. BIOMEDICA. 2020;36(4):362-366. doi:10.51441/BioMedica/5-80
Al Dhafiri M, Alhamed AS, Aljughayman MA, Bin Sifran KF, Al Furaikh BF, Alosaif N. Use of Potassium Hydroxide in Dermatology Daily Practice: A Local Study From Saudi Arabia. Cureus. Published online October 23, 2022. doi:10.7759/cureus.30612
Velasquez-Agudelo V, Cardona-Arias JA. Meta- analysis of the utility of culture, biopsy, and direct KOH examination for the diagnosis of onychomycosis. BMC Infect Dis. 2017;17(1):166. doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2258-3
Zanardi D, Nunes DH, Pacheco ADS, Tubone MQ, Souza Filho JJD. Evaluation of the diagnostic methods of onychomycosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2008;83(2):119-124. doi:10.1590/S0365-
Chandramohan A, Srinivas CR. Hyphal Index Following a Potassium Hydroxide Mount in
Dermatophytosis. Cureus. Published online December 21, 2021. doi:10.7759/cureus.20576
Garg R, Gupta S. Mimickers of dermatophytes on KOH mount. IP Indian J Clin Exp Dermatol. 2020;6(1):98-101. doi:10.18231/j.ijced.2020.021
Foster KW, Ghannoum MA, Elewski BE. Epidemiologic surveillance of cutaneous fungal infection in the United States from 1999 to 2002. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;50(5):748-752. doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(03)02117-0
Jartarkar SR, Patil A, Goldust Y, et al. Pathogenesis, Immunology and Management of Dermatophytosis. J Fungi. 2021;8(1):39. doi:10.3390/jof8010039
Pilz JF, Köberle M, Kain A, et al. Increasing incidence of Trichophyton tonsurans in Munich—A single‐ centre observation. Mycoses. 2023;66(5):441-447. doi:10.1111/myc.13563
Feußner C, Karrer S, Lampl BMJ. An uncommon cause of tinea: Trichophyton violaceum in a German kindergarten – outbreak report and quantitative analysis of epidemiological data from Europe. GMS Hyg Infect Control. 2022;17. doi:10.3205/DGKH000405
