Epidemiology of zoophylic dermatophytes in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Background: The progressive increase of zoophilic dermatophytes, especially Microsporum (M.) canis, in the aetiology ofhuman dermatophytoses has been observed in many regions in Europe.The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of zoophilic dermatophytes by genus and species and their clinical manifestations in Sarajevo area, during a ten-year period 2003-2013. Methods & Materials: Samples were obtained from 5693 patients who presented with suspected tinea infections at the Department of Dermatovenerology and examined in the Mycological Laboratory of the Institute of Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, Sarajevo University Clinical Center. All samples (skin scrapings and nail fragments) were treated with lactophenol to detect the possible presence of fungal elements and inoculated on Sabouraud glucose agar. The isolated fungi were classified based on macroscopic and microscopic morphology. Results: Dermatophytes were isolated from 22% patients. The majority of the isolated dermatophytes were zoophilic (93%) followed by antropophilic (6%) and geophylic (1%) dermatophytes. M. canis was the most causative agent, responsible for 91% of infections. Less frequently were isolated T. schoenleinii (2%), T. violaceum, T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (1.5% each), M.gypseum and T.tonsurans (1% each) and M.ferrugineum (0.5%). Lesions of tinea capitis were the most prevalent type of M. canis infection (34%), followed by tinea corporis (27%), tinea faciei (12%), tinea pedis, tinea unguium, tinea manuum and tinea cruris (11%, 7%, 5% and 4%, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings indicate constantly increase of zoophilic dermatophytes, especially M. canis in recent years in Sarajevo area. Like in many countries in southern Europe, in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well, antropophilic dermatophytes were replaced by zoophilic species. Eradication requires elimination of the nature source of the infection represented mainly by stray animals.