Summary
Introduction. According to the data of Centre for Communicable Diseases and AIDS of Lithuania 15699 cases of dermatophytosis were diagnosed in 2014-2018 year period.
The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of dermatomycosis cases. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of five-year period was performed at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics Centre of Laboratory Medicine. There were 3165 positive clinical samples tested. Fungal species were identified by MALDI-TOF method (direct transfer-formic acid preparation and ethanol-formic acid extraction), morphological and microscopic characteristics.
Results. Number of positive dermatomycosis cases overall decreased in 2005-2018 year period. Fungal infections of the skin and its derivatives were more common in women and were caused mainly by yeasts. The most common dermatophyte species identified was Trichophyton rubrum, which was more likely to cause infections in men. Female fingernails were more frequently affected. In men lesions of both limbs were more common. Dermatophytes were the most common cause of lesions of the toenails, skin and scalp, while lesions of fingernails and nails of both limbs were more frequently caused by yeasts. The type of fungus depended on the age of the patients, dermatophytes were more common within the age group of up to 12 years old, yeast - within females over 65 years and non-dermatophytes within the 21-49 and 50-64 age groups.
Conclusions. Dermatomycosis was more frequent in female patients. In samples of female patients Candida yeasts were more common and females more often had damaged fingernails. The most frequent causative agent was T. rubrum, which was more common in male cases. The most resistant to fluconazole was C. glabrata, to itraconazole and ketoconazole - C. albicans. Ethanol-formic acid extraction method provides better identification results.
Lay summary. As Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics is one of the largest hospitals in Lithuania, the results of the study reflect the epidemiological situation of dermatomycoses in a large part of the country’s population.
