Isolation, Identification, and Antifungal sensitivity Testing of Epidermophyton floccosum from Clinical Samples

Abstract

Raed Ali Hussain Shabaa

Dermatophyte fungi or dermatophytes comprise a vast range of filamentous pathogenic fungi including three important genera of Epidermophyton (E), Microsporum (M), and Trichophyton (T). The infections caused by dermatophytes are commonly referred to as “tinea” or “ring-worm” infections due to the characteristic ringed lesions. This study was aimed to isolate and identify Epidermophyton floccosum from different cutaneous infections using morphological features including scanning electron microscope examination and to evaluate its sensitivity towards several antifungal drugs. A total of 58 dermatophytosis specimens were collected in two ways, by scraping the infection area by scalpel, and by sterile swap. All the clinical samples were cultured and the positive growth plates were identified macroscopically and microscopically, The Epidermophyton floccosum positive isolates were susceptibility tested for several antifungal drugs. The results showed that from all the 58 clinical specements 15 were positive for Epidermophyton floccosum, with Tinea corporis was the most common clinical type of infection. The highest incidence of cases was seen in under 20 years age group. The susceptibility test results showed that all the isolates were sensitive toward Nystatin, Amphotericin-B, Itraconazole, Clotrimazole, and Ketoconazole. And Intermediate to Fluconazole. From this study we concluded that Tinea corporis is the most dermatophytosis caused by Epidermophyton floccosum in under 20 years old patients and most of the antifungal drug are effective in Epidermophyton floccosum infection treatment except the Fluconazole.