Epidemiology of dermatophytic infections between 2008 and 2017 in Barcelona, Spain / Epidemiología de las dermatofitosis entre 2008 y 2017 en Barcelona, España

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of dermatophytoses from 2008 to 2017 in the area of "Barcelonès Nord", located in north-eastern Spain. METHODS: From 2008 to 2017, 13,419 specimens obtained from patients with suspected superficial mycosis were subjected to direct microscopy and culture. Clinical and sociodemographic data were recorded. Proportions were compared using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated fungus (76.1%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes/Trichophyton interdigitale (11.9%) and Microsporum canis (2.9%). Among the population over 15 years of age, tinea unguium pedum (40.4%) and tinea corporis (29.1%) were the predominant dermatophyte infections. Tinea capitis was mostly prevalent (53.6%) among patients up to 15 years of age, followed by tinea corporis (21.4%). We observed an increase in non-endemic anthropophilic dermatophytes (Trichophyton soudanense, Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton violaceum) in the last few years. These species were associated with the population up to 15 years of age (p < 0.001), having tinea capitis (p = 0.0017) and being of African/Hindustani origin (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the spread of T. rubrum as the predominant dermatophyte in our area and reported an increase in non-endemic anthropophilic dermatophytes in the last few years, especially in the African and Hindustani population up to 15 years of age

OBJETIVO: La finalidad del presente estudio fue evaluar el perfil epidemiológico de las dermatofitosis entre los años 2008 y 2017 en el área de «Barcelonès Nord» ubicada en el noreste de España. MÉTODOS: Entre los años 2008 y 2017, 13.419 muestras obtenidas de pacientes con sospecha de micosis superficial fueron remitidas para microscopía directa y cultivo. Se registraron datos clínicos y sociodemográficos. Las proporciones se compararon mediante las pruebas de Chi-cuadrado y Fisher. Para el análisis de variables múltiples, se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: Trichophyton rubrum fue el hongo más frecuentemente aislado (76,1%), seguido de Trichophyton mentagrophytes/Trichophyton interdigitale (11,9%) y Microsporum canis (2,9%). Entre la población mayor de 15 años, la tinea unguium pedum (40,4%) y la tinea corporis (29,1%) fueron las dermatofitosis predominantes. La tinea capitis prevaleció principalmente (53,6%) entre los pacientes menores de 15 años, seguida de la tinea corporis (21,4%). Se percibió un aumento de los dermatofitos antropófilos no endémicos (Trichophyton soudanense, Microsporum audouinii y Trichophyton violaceum) en los últimos años. Estas especies se asociaron con la población menor de 15 años (p < 0,001), la presencia de tinea capitis (p = 0,0017) y el origen africano/indostánico (p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: Confirmamos el predominio de Trichophyton rubrum como el dermatofito más prevalente en nuestra área, y describimos un aumento en los dermatofitos antropófilos no endémicos en los últimos años, especialmente en población africana e indostana menor de 15 años

Epidemiology of dermatophytic infections between 2008 and 2017 in Barcelona, Spain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of dermatophytoses from 2008 to 2017 in the area of "Barcelonès Nord", located in north-eastern Spain. METHODS: From 2008 to 2017, 13,419 specimens obtained from patients with suspected superficial mycosis were subjected to direct microscopy and culture. Clinical and sociodemographic data were recorded. Proportions were compared using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated fungus (76.1%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes/Trichophyton interdigitale (11.9%) and Microsporum canis (2.9%). Among the population over 15 years of age, tinea unguium pedum (40.4%) and tinea corporis (29.1%) were the predominant dermatophyte infections. Tinea capitis was mostly prevalent (53.6%) among patients up to 15 years of age, followed by tinea corporis (21.4%). We observed an increase in non-endemic anthropophilic dermatophytes (Trichophyton soudanense, Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton violaceum) in the last few years. These species were associated with the population up to 15 years of age (p<0.001), having tinea capitis (p=0.0017) and being of African/Hindustani origin (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the spread of T. rubrum as the predominant dermatophyte in our area and reported an increase in non-endemic anthropophilic dermatophytes in the last few years, especially in the African and Hindustani population up to 15 years of age.