Dermatophytes isolated from the mosques in Tokat, Turkey.

Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that invade keratinized tissues such as the skin, hair and nails. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of the potential causative agents of dermatophytosis in the mosque area in Tokat, Turkey. Thirty mosques were included in the study. A total of two hundred samples were collected from various parts of carpets and slippers in the mosques. Positive cultures were obtained in 144 samples (113 from carpets, 31 from slippers). Among the species isolated, Epidermophyton floccosum (n = 114) (79.2 %) was the most frequent, followed by Trichophyton mentographytes (n = 13) (9 %), Trichophyton tonsurans (n = 9) (6.3 %), Trichophyton rubrum (n = 5) (3.5 %), and Trichophyton verrucosum (n = 3) (2 %). Contamination of carpets and slippers with dermatophytes may act as a reservoir for transmission of these fungi. Educational health programs, appropriate treatment, and management of disease may provide to control of the spread of fungal organisms.