Clinical and Microbiological Profile of Dermatophyte Infections in Clinically Diagnosed and Suspected Cases at a Tertiary Care Dermatology OPD: A Descriptive CrossSectional Study (Code-T0364)

Introduction: Dermatophytosis is a prevalent fungal infection caused by dermatophytes that 
affects keratinized tissues such as skin, hair, and nails. Despite the availability of effective 
antifungal treatments, rising resistance and recurrent infections pose significant challenges. 
This study aims to evaluate the clinical and microbiological characteristics of 
dermatophytosis cases in a tertiary care setting. 
Aims and Objectives:  
Aim 
To study and evaluate Clinico-microbiological pattern in clinically diagnosed and suspected 
cases with dermatophytosis  
Objectives 
 To study clinical profile of patients of dermatophytosis  
 To perform potassium hydroxide smear of skin scrapings 
 To calculate the dermatophytosis severity score  
 To do microbiological assessment of the isolates obtained on fungal culture 
 To determine Minimum inhibitory concentration of oral antifungal drugs against 
clinically isolated dermatophytes using broth micro dilution. 
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study will be conducted on 100 patients attending 
the dermatology outpatient department at MMIMSR, Mullana. Skin scrapings will be 
collected and subjected to potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy and fungal culture. 
Identification of dermatophytes will be performed through colony morphology, microscopy, 
and biochemical tests. Antifungal susceptibility testing will be conducted using broth 
microdilution to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of oral antifungal 
drugs. 
Results: The study will provide insights into the clinical profile and severity of 
dermatophytosis cases. The prevalence of dermatophyte species and their antifungal 
susceptibility patterns will be analyzed. Expected findings include common isolates such as 
Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, along with emerging drug resistance 
trends. 
Conclusion: This study aims to enhance the understanding of dermatophyte epidemiology, 
drug resistance, and clinical presentations, which will aid in optimizing antifungal therapy 
and management strategies. 
Keywords: Dermatophytosis, fungal culture, antifungal susceptibility, Trichophyton rubrum, 
dermatophyte resistance, clinical severity