Epidemiologia da tinea pedis em pacientes atendidos em ambulatório especializado, na cidade de Belém-PA

Abstract

Tinea pedis, commonly called “athlete’s foot”, is one of the most common type of dermatophytosis, mainly caused by the antropophilic dermatophytes, in particular Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Several factors influence the prevalence of tinea pedis, including: climatic conditions, lifestyles, public restroom, swimming pools, saunas, tight shoes, insufficient foot care. Moreover, studies have shown that infections generally occur when individuals’ feet are exposed to these pathogens. The clinical forms of tinea pedis are: 1) intertriginous; 2) plantar hyperkeratosis and 3) vesiculo- bullous infections. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency, epidemiology and clinical aspects of tinea pedis in Belém of Pará, Brazil, during the period of 1999 – 2004. The study was performed at the dermatologic department of pathology at the UFPA´s Heath Center. During the period of January 1999 to June 2004, there were 810 mycological exams of patients with clinical suspicion of tinea pedis; all of the positive (195) exams were included in the study. Material collected was submitted to direct microscopic examination using KOH, culture in Sabouraud agar and microscopically examined for colony morphology. Trichophyton rubrum (40%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (26%) were the species most frequently isolated. Correlation between sex, age, residence of the patients, seasonal variation and etiologic agents is considered in the study. Better hygiene conditions and earlier diagnosis are the most important tools to control and reduce the incidence of dermatophytosis in Belém- PA.