Clinicomycological profile of pityriasis versicolor in Assam.
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Date
2016-04
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Abstract
Background: Geographical variation in the distribution of Malassezia species
associated with pityriasis versicolor (PV) has led to the necessity of studying
epidemiological, mycological, and clinical characteristics of PV. Aims: To
study the epidemiological, mycological, and clinical characteristics of PV in a
tertiary care hospital. Settings and Design: The study was carried out with a
cross‑sectional design. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and sixty‑two
consecutive PV patients were subjected to detailed history, clinical examination,
and investigations. Skin scrapings were processed by direct microscopy and
culture. Isolates were identified by phenotypic characteristics and polymerase
chain reaction‑restriction fragment length polymorphism. Association of
Malassezia species with clinical and epidemiological characteristics was
studied. Statistical analysis of the data was done using statistical software.
Results: Maximum number of PV cases (33.9%) belonged to the age group of
21–30 years with a male preponderance. 61.4% of the patients had a sedentary
lifestyle, 70.2% showed the gradual onset of the disease, 51.1% presented with
pruritus and in 66.4% of the patients symptoms were continuous. Most commonly
involved body site was neck (27.8%), 77.09% of the lesions were bilaterally
asymmetrical, 87.4% were macular, and 89.3% were hypopigmented. Malassezia
furfur (77.3%) was the predominant species. Sedentary lifestyle (61.4%) and
increased sweating (48%) were the most commonly associated predisposing
factors. Conclusion: PV is more common in males. Distribution of Malassezia
species varies significantly from those reported in other parts of India. M. furfur
was the most common species responsible for PV in our region. Hence, further
studies are required to evaluate the exact cause of this variation.
Description
Keywords
Assam, epidemiology, Malassezia, pityriasis versicolor
Citation
Sharma Ajanta, Rabha Debajit, Choraria Saveta, Hazarika Debeeka, Ahmed Giasuddin, Hazarika Naba Kumar. Clinicomycological profile of pityriasis versicolor in Assam. Indian Journal of Pathology & Microbiology. 2016 Apr-June 59(2): 159-165.