Epidemiologic Study of Superficial Fungal Infections in Outpatients of Dermatologic Clinic and Healthy Individuals

Moon, Hyun Ju; Moon, Jai Dong; Lee, Jee Bum; Kim, Seong Jin; Won, Young Ho; Lee, Seung Chul

Abstract

The status of host immunity has influence on the development of superficial fungal infections. This study is performed to compare the prevalence of superficial fungal infection of dermatology outpatients with that of healthy individuals. We performed epidemiologic study on 1,285 cases composed of 1,000 dermatology outpatients and 285 healthy individuals in the spring (2000. May), summer (2001. August) and winter (2001. February). 1. The prevalence of superficial fungal infection was 28.3% in outpatients of dermatologic clinic and 14.7% in healthy individuals, this result was statistically significant. 2. In spring and winter, the prevalence of superficial fungal infection was higher in the outpatients of dermatologic clinic than healthy individuals. 3. Coexisting fungal infections were found in 33.3% of outpatients of dermatologic clinic and 9.5% of healthy individuals. 4. Duration of disease was longer in outpatients of dermatologic clinic. But there was no significant difference in disease pattern and causative organism (T. rubrum). The prevalence of superficial fungal infection was higher in the outpatients of dermatologic clinic than healthy individuals and the former had more chronic and severe disease pattern. This study will be helpful in the further evaluation of superficial fungal diseases in the dermatologic clinic.