Major factors associated with worldwide dermatophytosis predominance

Falah Hasan Obayes AL-Khikani

doi:10.4103/mgmj.mgmj_64_20

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Year : 2020 | Volume : 7 | Issue : 4 | Page : 232-233

Major factors associated with worldwide dermatophytosis predominance

Falah Hasan Obayes AL-Khikani
Department of Microbiology, Al-Shomalli General Hospital, Babil, Iraq

Date of Submission	28-Jun-2020
Date of Decision	10-Sep-2020
Date of Acceptance	10-Sep-2020
Date of Web Publication	09-Dec-2020

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Falah Hasan Obayes AL-Khikani
Department of Microbiology, Al-Shomalli General Hospital, Babil.
Iraq

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

DOI: 10.4103/mgmj.mgmj_64_20

How to cite this article:
AL-Khikani FH. Major factors associated with worldwide dermatophytosis predominance. MGM J Med Sci 2020;7:232-3

How to cite this URL:
AL-Khikani FH. Major factors associated with worldwide dermatophytosis predominance. MGM J Med Sci [serial online] 2020 [cited 2021 Jan 18];7:232-3. Available from: http://www.mgmjms.com/text.asp?2020/7/4/232/302806

Dear Editor,

Dermatophytosis is the disease that is mainly caused by different species of dermatophytes within the cutaneous layer of the skin. It has contagious properties to spread from person to another also from the animal to the human. The skin, hair, and nail of all types of mammals, including humans, are under the risk of developing dermatophytosis.^[1]

Several factors can be associated with a high prevalence of dermatophytosis such as high temperature and humidity in tropical and subtropical regions,^[2] and type of geographical region which is reflected by the fact that the infection is more common in rural areas than in urban regions.^[3],[4]

Patients living in low socioeconomic conditions are predisposed to this infection compared to those than those in middle and high socioeconomic status and tinea infections are more common in those who receive immunosuppressive drugs and in people suffering from diseases like AIDS.^[5] Moreover, close contact with animals^[6],[7] and prolonged use of antibiotics and corticosteroids^{[8],[9],[10],[11],[12]} also make individuals susceptible to develop tinea infection.

The chronic diseases or disorders in the human body also play a role in the distribution of infection as found among patients with diabetes.^[13] The incubation period on the human skin for the development of dermatophytosis is usually from 1 to 2 weeks.^[1] This short time of incubation is considered a risk factor that assists in the early spreading of the disease.

Moisture and warm conditions are the most encouraging factors for the development of Dermatophytosis in tropical countries.^[14] These factors, along with increased sweating resulting from outdoor physical human activities in hot weather and low degree of hygiene, are also associated with the prevalence of dermatophytosis^{[15],[16],[17],[18],[19]} [Figure 1].

Figure 1: Some factors associated with dermatophytosis

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Conclusion

Currently, there exists a high prevalence of dermatophyte infection in the world. Humidity and warm temperature are the most important factors along with poor medical care for an increase in the epidemic spread of skin mycoses including dermatophytosis. A thorough understanding of the factors and causes associated with dermatophyte infection may be crucial to control and prevent a high prevalence of this worldwide contagious fungal infection.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest

References

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