Tinea pedis amongst students from Universidad de Valle, Colombia

Abstract

In order to determine mycotic infection of the fourth pedal interdigital space, 333 students from Universidad del Valle, in Cali, Colombia were investigated. The infection was confirmed by direct examination, culture or both. The global prevalence of mycotic infection was 15.6%, whilst for tinea pedis it was 10.5%. lnfection occurred most frequently in students aged 21-25 years; it was found that prevalence increased with age. There was no correlation with sex, blood group, sport practice and the presence of mycotic infection. The isolated agents were dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes, the first caused 35 cases, the second one 4 and in 13 cases no fungi were isolated. The dermatophyte most frequently isolated was Trichophyton mentagrophytes (71.4%), Trichophyton rubrum, followed by Epidermophyton floccosum. Also, it was found that of 52 positive individuals, 17 (32.7%) did not show lesions, being therefore healthy carriers. It is important to highlight the development of appropriate hygienic foot conditions in order to avoid tinea pedis.