The frequency of superficial mycoses according to agents isolated during a ten-year period (1999-2008) in Zagreb area, Croatia.

Fungal infections involving the skin, hair and nails represent one of the most common mucocutaneous infections. Significant changes in the epidemiology, etiology and clinical pattern of mycotic infections have been observed during the last years. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence and the etiologic factors of superficial fungal infections in Zagreb area, Croatia, over a 10-year period (1999-2008). A total of 75828 samples obtained from 67 983 patients were analyzed. Dermatomycosis was verified by culture in 17410 (23%) samples obtained from 16086 patients. Female patients were more commonly affected than male (59% vs. 41%). Dermatophytes were responsible for 63% of all superficial fungal infections, followed by yeasts (36%) and molds (1%). Trichophyton (T.) mentagrophytes (both var. interdigitalis and var. granulosa) was the most frequent dermatophyte isolated in 58% of all samples, followed by Microsporum (M). canis (29%) and T. rubrum (10%). The most common clinical forms of dermatomycosis were onychomycosis (41%), tinea corporis (17%) and tinea pedis (12%). Candida spp. was mainly isolated from fingernail debris.