Background: Superficial dermatomycoses are fungal infections of skin, hair or nails, which are caused most commonly by dermatophytes. Those are very common diseases on dermatologic field, but prevalence and clinical characteristics vary with geographical areas and population. Moreover, pathogenic species change constantly over time.

Objectives: This multicenter study was undertaken to investigate the epidemiologic and clinical findings of superficial dermatomycoses in Korea during the period 2016-2017. In addition, we sought to identify the pathogenic organisms from three different kinds of fungal infections (tinea corporis, tinea faciale, and tinea capitis).

Methods: Four hundred fifty three patients from the dermatology clinic of 13 tertiary hospitals in Korea were enrolled in the study. Demographics, their comorbidities, occupation, family history of superficial dermatomycoses, suspected routes of infection, and treatment were checked. The diagnosis of superficial dermatomycoses was based on clinical manifestation, and confirmed by KOH examination. Fungal cultures and molecular analyses were performed on patients with tinea corporis, tinea faciale, and tinea capitis.

Results: Of the total of 453 patients, 275 were male and 178 were female. Mean age of patients was 51.4 (0.75 - 92) years. In past history, 214 patients (53.4%) had at least 1 of comorbidities. Overall fungal culture positivity was 77.8% (126/162). Trichophyton rubrum was the most common causative organism of tinea corporis (66.7%, 68/80) and tinea faciale (43.8%, 14/23), and Microsporum canis was the most common agent of tinea capitis (36.7%, 11/23).

Conclusion: Trichophyton rubrum was the consistently most common causative organism in superficial dermatomycoses except tinea capitis in Korea.

Epidemiology and identification of organism on superficial dermatomycoses at tertiary hospitals in Korea : a prospective multicenter study