Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungus that infects skin, hair and nails. They belong to the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. Some infections are caused by non dermatophytic filamentous fungi which are often resistant to treatment used for infections caused by dermatophytes. Hence this study was taken up to isolate and identify the causative agents of dermatophytosis and guide in the institution of proper therapy. Methods: All skin, hair and nail samples from suspected cases of Dermatophytosis were processed according to the standard microbiological procedures. Results: Dermatophytosis was more common in males aged 21-30 years. Trichophyton mentagrophytes (T. mentagrophytes) was the most common isolate, followed by Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) and Trichophyton tonsurans (T. tonsurans). Around 25% of the isolates were non dermatophytes like Scopulariopsis brevecaulis, Aspergillus species, Fusarium species and Acremonium species. Dermatophytic infections take a long time to diagnose and treat. | Study of the etiological agents of dermatophytosis in patients attending dermatology clinics of a suburban tertiary care-centre in western Maharashtra, India
