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Etiological Agents and Predisposing Factors of Superficial Fungal Infections in Northeastern Argentina

Summary

Researchers studied fungal skin infections in a community in northeastern Argentina, finding that 37% of patients had these infections. The most common cause was a fungus called Trichophyton tonsurans. Poor living conditions like overcrowding and lack of clean water increased infection risk. The study shows that fungal skin infections are a significant health problem in areas with limited access to basic sanitation and water services.

Background

Superficial fungal infections account for approximately 2% of outpatient visits globally, affecting an estimated 1-2 billion people. Individual, environmental, and socioeconomic factors increase susceptibility to these infections. Limited epidemiological data exists for fungal diseases in Argentina and the Misiones Province region.

Objective

To identify the etiological agents of superficial fungal infections and analyze predisposing factors in patients attending a Level I Hospital in Puerto Piray, Misiones Province, Argentina, following a community intervention.

Results

37% of 107 patients had identified etiological agents. Dermatophytes were most frequent (46%), with Trichophyton tonsurans as the primary species, followed by Malassezia spp. and Candida spp. Dermatophytosis was associated with male sex (OR: 4.4), ages 1-14 years (OR: 8.04), and overcrowding (OR: 5.38). Direct microscopic examination showed 92.8% sensitivity.

Conclusion

High prevalence of superficial fungal infections (37%) was observed in a population with unfavorable socioenvironmental conditions. Anthropophilic dermatophytes were the main etiological agents. Socioeconomic factors including overcrowding, low education, and lack of water/sewage infrastructure contributed significantly to infection incidence.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Cross-sectional Descriptive Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40278066, DOI: 10.3390/jof11040245
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